Hyderabad schools report rise in flu cases

HYDERABAD: Schools have almost turned into hotspots for the contagious common flu. Doctors have said that there has been a rise in the number of outpatients in the last two weeks.

Several teachers told Deccan Chronicle that students have either absented themselves from classes due to the flu or have shown up despite them due to the fear of missing out on revisions ahead of the annual exams.

Amala Vilasini, a teacher at Sri Sai Public School in Habsiguda, said that a few of her students in her class had fallen ill recently. The numbers are growing, she said.

"Students sit in closed rooms, pretty close to each other and end up sharing stationery, books and even water bottles and lunch. This has probably resulted in its rapid spread as many are showing similar symptoms. I asked a couple of them to take rest while a few others were sent home," she said.

Vilasini, who herself is recovering from flu, said that she could not take leave as the annual exams in her school start on Monday.

George Samuel D., vice-principal of St Philip's High School in King Koti, said students had been asked to stay away if they develop flu-like symptoms. "Nothing is more important than a child's health, not even their exams. We have been watchful of the spread. As a precautionary measure, we have sent some students home when their temperature was increasing," he said.

Meanwhile, some parents, fearing that their children would lose revision exercises, forced them to attend classes.

"We are trying to counsel such parents against doing so," Samuel said.
A correspondent of a private school in Vidyanagar said that the school's management is now in a rush to implement steps to contain the health issue.

"Some of the measures include conducting exams in a phased manner to shifting revision classes online and even making masks and social distance mandatory," she said.

Health tips:

Doctors tell teachers to look out for signs in students like fatigue, runny/blocked nose, high temperature, body pain and loss of appetite.

School medical teams can keep some medication handy like 250 mg paracetamol.

Stay away from antibiotics as the flu is viral and not bacterial, said Dr. Madhulika, a pediatric surgeon.

Flu stays for less than a week. If child has a temperature of above 101°F, consult a doctor

Doctors have suggested keeping masks and sanitisers in classrooms.

Gargling with warm salt water, steam inhalation, warm sponging, staying away from junk and oily food and good rest, will be helpful.