Message from School Medical Room

Colds and Influenza

For healthy individuals, seasonal influenza is usually self-limiting, lasting about a week. Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue and headache, with or without vomiting and diarrhoea. Whilst most symptoms resolve quickly, the cough is often severe and fatigue can be prolonged.

Students with fever 37.5℃ or higher or respiratory illness symptoms. should stay at home and remain absent until 48 hours fever free (without the use of medication).

For protection against influenza, the Centre for Health Protection recommends consulting your doctor for the influenza vaccination and to consider the following precautions:

• Build up good body immunity through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene
• Seek medical advice promptly if symptoms of respiratory tract infection or fever develop

More information on the vaccination scheme is available via: https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/46107.html

Head Lice

Head lice are spread by direct contact with an infected head. It is not associated with poor hygiene and lice, as they prefer clean hair. If your child has long hair it may help for you to keep your child’s hair tied up to prevent it blowing around another student’s head.

Please check your child’s hair regularly. Head Lice will not harm your child, but they are a bother to everyone concerned. If a student has lice or nits, they should be kept at home until all lice have been treatment and killed and nits have been removed. 

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

Yours sincerely,

Saffron Brown
School Health Professional