While most children have a mild illness, children with a serious underlying condition have an increased risk of severe illness. New guidance on prophylaxis for people with a serious underlying condition is available on the DH website.

The HPA has reviewed emerging evidence on the clinical course of swine flu in a risk groups and has issued new guidance for children with special needs in mainstream schools  and in special schools. 

Why is the school still open if there are children with swine flu?

School closures and the distribution of antiviral medicines for prevention are not recommended at this time because the virus is widespread within the community.  People are likely to be repeatedly exposed to the virus in their every day lives, closing a school will no longer be effective in slowing the spread of the virus as people could still be exposed outside the school.

In some special circumstances for example a school with children who are particularly vulnerable to infection, school closures might still be recommended.

Isn't it better for my child to catch this now to develop some immunity in case this comes back more seriously?

This is good evidence that in the majority of swine flu patients the disease is generally mild, but it is also proving severe in a small minority of cases. It is preferable to avoid exposure to the virus if possible, which also helps to protect higher-risk groups from unnecessary risk. However, children should not be kept off school if they are well and their school is open.

What can schools and parents do to slow the spread?

By practising good hygiene everyone can play their part and help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Make sure children follow this advice.
• Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

If you think you may have swine flu, you should check your symptoms on NHS Direct online or by phone: 0845 46 47  If you are still concerned you should call your GP.

• Advice for parents and carers of children
  There are some simple ways in which you can help reduce the spread of swine flu infection.
  Added/updated: 11 February 2010
  
• Guidance for children with special needs
  Managing the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (swine flu) virus
  Added/updated: 29 October 2009
  
• Swine flu: learning resources for children
  E-bug, Dirty Bertie and Hands up for Max
  Added/updated: 25 February 2010
  
• Preparing for swine flu: advice for schools (PDF, 2.5 MB)
  Guidance for schools, early years and other educational settings
  Added/updated: 9 November 2009
  
• Risk assessment: influenza (pandemic (H1N1) 2009)and pregnant teachers working in schools (PDF, 50 KB)
  It is important not to consider pregnant women as a group apart. Many of the issues relating to them will apply to those in other ‘at-risk’ groups. The advice to those in the other at-risk groups would also, therefore, apply to pregnant women.
  Added/updated: 28 September 2009
  
• Preparing for swine flu: Guidance and resources for further and higher education settings (PDF, 390 KB)
  This document provides public health advice and resources for tertiary education settings that will help to reduce the spread of the swine flu (pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza) strain among students and staff during the 2009-2010 academic year.
  Added/updated: 30 October 2009