Respiratory illness at Lakeside Primary School

Monday, 24 November 2025

Respiratory illness at Lakeside Primary School

Dear Parents/Carers,

This letter is to inform you that a number of children in school have been unwell with respiratory illnesses which are common during this time of the year. Symptoms can be caused by several respiratory infections including the common cold, COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Symptoms may include a runny nose, high temperature, cough and sore throat.

If your child has a high temperature and is unwell, it is very important they stay at home and do not attend school or mix with others outside the home, until they have recovered. Children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or mild cough, who are otherwise well in themselves, can continue to attend school. However, if your child has an underlying medical condition and becomes severely unwell with respiratory symptoms (fever of 38oC or greater with cough, sore throat, runny nose, limb/joint pain or headache), or has problems breathing please, ring your GP or NHS 111 for further advice.

It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, they should try to stay at home for 3 days after the day they took their test.

General advice to reduce spread of respiratory infections including flu are:

• cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing – using a tissue if possible
• dispose of dirty tissues in a bin as soon as possible

• wash hands with soap and warm water after catching coughs, sneezes and blowing the nose
• maintain good general hand hygiene, washing hands frequently with soap and warm water – especially after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food
• cleaning hard surfaces and frequent touch points (eg door handles, light switches)
• any children offered the flu vaccine this season should get their vaccine Child flu vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• any children offered the COVID-19 vaccine this season should get the vaccine About the COVID-19 vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Further information is also available Living safely with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections guidance and Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Yours sincerely

Mr N. Probert
(Headteacher)