Flu hits more than 2,800 pupils

Health protection teams have produced advice leaflets about flu

Thousands of school children have been hit by a winter flu bug that has affected more than 50 schools across the South East.

In East and West Sussex, more than 300 pupils have been off school, and in Kent, 2,500 were off sick on Tuesday.

Several schools have also been affected by the winter vomiting bug, norovirus.

Kent's health protection unit said the influenza B bug which causes headaches, high temperatures and gastric upset tended to peak every few years.

We get it in cycles and probably we are seeing a peak this year Dr Mathi Chandrakumar

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar said there were probably more cases than last year but added: "We can't be sure because this is not a notifiable disease therefore we would not have the exact numbers."

He said: "Every three to four years influenza B tends to peak. We get it in cycles and probably we are seeing a peak this year."

The health protection agency has issued information leaflets about how to deal with flu bugs and gastro-enteritis infections.

The highest rates of viral flu infections are often in school age children, health protection advice states.

Most people recover completely from influenza in a matter of days or a week, while serious illness from influenza is usually due to secondary infections.

Children and fit adults under the age of 65 years not in a group that is likely to be more seriously affected by flu are not recommended to receive the flu vaccine, according to NHS advice.