Health Friendly Air Blog

With the current swine flu pandemic, it is especially important that a child's asthma is well controlled before returning to school, according to the Asthma Society of Ireland. The Society says that although people with asthma are no more likely to catch swine flu than anyone else, if they do catch a respiratory infection like swine flu it could add to any breathing difficulties they already have due to asthma. The Asthma Society, in a publicity campaign with Manchester United footballer John O'Shea, is urging parents of children with asthma to visit their GP to ensure their child's condition is controlled before returning to school next week. Children's asthma can worsen as the school term begins due to exposure to colds and viruses, excitement or stress and managing their own medication for the first time.

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Along with the risk of a breakdown in essential business operations due to high sickness absence from the swine flu this winter it seems employers may also face the possibility of legal action from employees. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 states that employers have a responsibility to protect their employees as much as is reasonably possible. If an employer breaches that in any respect, they may be liable to claims for personal injuries. Employment law experts are advising that extra precautions should, therefore, be taken during the swine flu pandemic. Employers need to be fully aware of how they can protect employees from swine flu while at work. Measures include hygiene and cleaning measures, when to send employees home and staff awareness training on the facts and the risks of swine flu www.healthfriendlyair/swineflu

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