The 48-hour rule NHS wants Cornwall parents to know this term

The uniform is ironed, the pencil case is stocked, and somewhere in a classroom full of thirty small hands a cold is already doing the rounds. Term started a week or so ago, and local NHS teams across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly say the next few weeks are exactly when a handful of small habits make the biggest difference.

A checklist that goes beyond uniforms and lunchboxes

The return to school brings busy mornings, new classes, packed diaries and a lot more mixing with friends. It also tends to bring the usual coughs, colds and bugs that circulate at the start of a new term.

That is why NHS teams are sharing some simple advice now, covering healthy sleep routines, regular handwashing, knowing when to keep a child at home if they are unwell, and checking that children and young people are up to date with their vaccinations.

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said parents already have enough on their plate at this time of year.

“As any parent knows, the start of a new school year comes with a long checklist, from uniforms and packed lunches to new routines and after-school activities,” Chris said. “Looking after children’s health is an important part of that preparation too. The good news is that some of the most effective ways to help children stay well are also some of the simplest.

“Encouraging good hand hygiene, helping children get enough sleep, making sure they’re up to date with their vaccinations and knowing how to manage common illnesses can all support a healthy and successful start to the school year.”

Knowing when to keep children at home

It is completely normal for children to pick up coughs, colds and other common infections during the school year, particularly in the first few weeks of term.

Children should stay off school if they have a high temperature, and go back once they are feeling better and no longer running a fever. Many common illnesses can be safely managed at home with rest, plenty of fluids and appropriate pain relief if needed. Most coughs and colds do not need antibiotics and will clear up on their own.

Children with diarrhoea and vomiting should stay away from school or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

📷Elementary classroom, back to school concept