HSE advice for parents on flu and other illnesses this Christmas
Children can pick up viral infections such as colds, vomiting bug (norovirus) and flu more easily than adults.
We are seeing high levels of flu among children aged 0 to 4 at the moment. As Christmas approaches, more social gatherings may increase the spread of flu.
Flu is generally a mild illness among children. It can also cause serious infection in some children – they may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. The below advice may be helpful in the run-up to Christmas and over the holidays.
Preventing the spread of illnesses
Key prevention measures include:
coughing and sneezing into the corner of the elbow or covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue
washing hands regularly and after coughs and sneezes
being up to date on all recommended vaccines.
Flu symptoms
A cold or a cough can be a symptom of flu. If your child has other flu symptoms, or seems unwell in themselves, keep them at home for at least 5 days after their symptoms began.
Other symptoms include:
a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
aches and pains
tiredness
sore throat
headaches.
Common cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe. Flu and COVID-19 can also be very similar. Find advice on the HSE’s mychild.ie – ‘Flu – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment’. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/symptoms-diagnosis/
Advice on colds, coughs and other viral infections in children
You can find advice on other common viral illnesses on mychild.ie – ‘Colds, coughs and other viral infections in children’. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/
Common viral infections in children include:
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
bronchiolitis
common colds
coughs
flu
croup
COVID-19
winter vomiting bug (norovirus)
chickenpox.
Knowing when to keep your child at home
It can be difficult to know when you need to keep your child off childcare.
Get advice on mychild.ie – ‘Knowing when your child is well enough to go to school or childcare’. https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/parenting-advice/caring-for-a-child/knowing-if-your-child-is-well-enough-to-go-to-school-or-childcare/
This includes:
when it’s OK to send your child to school or childcare
when to keep your child at home from school or childcare
how to keep vaccines updated and prepare for sick days
For more health advice, visit mychild.ie https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/
