ANALYSIS:THE CONFIRMATION that the first child in the State has contracted Influenza A (H1N1), while not unexpected, will cause some degree of anxiety for parents.There is no need for particular concern because of the victim's age.
A number of schools in the UK have been affected by outbreaks involving more than one pupil, which have been successfully managed by public health authorities there.
The child in this case is being treated at home with an anti–viral drug.
Classmates are also being offered medication to lessen the chance they will contract swine flu. The HSE has also confirmed that there is no need to close the Mayo primary school, so pupils in other classes should attend as normal next week.
What should parents in the area do if their child develops flu-like symptoms? Contact your family doctor or out of hours medical service by phone.
Do not bring the child to the surgery. Your doctor will arrange for the child’s assessment and if a diagnosis of flu is made, will most likely treat your child at home with the drug Tamiflu.
Complications may arise, and particularly in the rare case of a young person with a significant chronic illness, may require hospitalisation.
But the death rate from this strain of flu is low and the illness has generally been mild. It is probably best looked on as similar to the regular winter flu.
In the interests of keeping transmission of the viral infection to a minimum, children should be encouraged to wash their hands regularly and to use tissues just once before disposing of them safely.
Although this is the first case of the virus in a school, workplaces have been involved in other cases and the spread of the disease has been managed by the HSE successfully using Tamiflu and anti-viral drugs.