Swine flu fear at seven schools

Seven schools in Plymouth have reported suspected cases of swine flu among their pupils.

About 15 pupils are being tested for the disease and parents are being given advice on how to treat the virus.

The schools are Hyde Park Junior, Hele School, primaries Manadon Vale, Mount Wise, Stuart Road and Victoria Road and Devonport High School for Girls.

The UK is projecting more than 100,000 new cases of the virus H1N1 a day by the end of the summer.

City schools are being advised to prepare for reduced staff and parents are being given advice from the Health Protection Agency and the NHS.

Health advice

Maggie Carter, assistant director of children and young people's services at Plymouth City Council, said: "They are cases of symptoms but not necessarily swine flu.

"We would expect parents to use a common sense approach.

"As with any virus it can spread, but the effects are mild and we hope parents will deal with it in the same way as they would with any virus."

When people are displaying symptoms, such as fever and fatigue, they should contact the NHS by phone.

If doctors believe the person is suffering from swine flu they will be told to stay at home and be given a voucher which a friend or family member can take to a drug collection point, such as a pharmacy.

The current advice is that anti-flu drugs will no longer be given to the close contacts of those infected.