Managing sickness and infections

Across the Liverpool region we are experiencing increased reporting of diarrhoea and vomiting in school aged children consistent with viral gastroenteritis. This is often caused by Norovirus, a frequent cause of vomiting and diarrhoea in the community during the winter.

The most common symptom of Norovirus is vomiting. Diarrhoea tends to be short-lived and less severe than with other causes of gastroenteritis. Other symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle aches, chills and fever. The illness is usually self-limiting in nature and gets better without antibiotics, which are not appropriate for viral illnesses. Symptoms usually last between one and three days.

Pupils who become ill will be sent home as soon as possible; if pupils cannot go home, they will be kept away from other pupils.

Parents should be aware that the pupil should remain off for 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. This is a really important control measure to limit the spread of this infection. 

In school we will be promoting good hand hygiene prevent outbreaks of sickness and we would encourage parents to do the same.

If you are unsure about whether to keep your child off school, please speak to a member of our school office team.

Thank you.