Infections are common in children during the winter months.

Youngsters can have illnesses such as coughs and colds, and for most, these will not be serious. However, Covid is also still around.

The Covid vaccination programme in the North East is continuing, with thousands of people receiving their booster. Health experts say the vaccine continues to provide the best possible protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from coronavirus for those who are at risk of contracting the disease.

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Routine testing for Covid-19 ended in April 2022 and UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance says it is not recommended that children and young people are tested unless directed to do so by a health professional. But, during winter months, your child may be showing Covid signs and you may wonder if they can still go to school.

So what are the current rules? Here is what you need to know. More information is available from the NHS here.

Can a child still go to school if they have Covid symptoms?

As Covid-19 presents a low risk to children and young people, combined with high vaccination rates in the population, there are no longer specific rules relating to it in schools, colleges, childcare and other education settings. According to Government guidance, children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to go to school.

However, those who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people where they can. They can go back to school and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.

The guidance further says: "All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues. It can be difficult to know when to seek help if your child is unwell. If you are worried about your child, especially if they are aged under two years old, then you should seek medical help."

What happens if my child tests positive for Covid?

UKHSA guidance says it is not recommended that children are tested for Covid unless directed to do so by a health professional. For youngsters who are recommended to take a test by a health professional and they test positive, the advice is to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days. This is because children tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.

Symptoms of Covid

The NHS says Covid-19 symptoms can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick