“We are not lepers” say Shelley swine flu family

Jul 18 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE PARENTS of a Shelley schoolboy diagnosed with swine flu have urged: “Don’t treat us like lepers.”

Robert and Jayne Ford feel their whole family is being victimised after Thomas, seven, was told he had contracted the virus on Wednesday.

The couple decided to speak out after his healthy sister Amber, three, was banned from Shepley playgroup yesterday as rumours about the family spread.

Nine-year-old brother Jack has continued to attend Birdsedge First School without any problems – in line with guidance from Kirklees Council.

Heartbroken Jayne said: “We are being careful, but our family needs to carry on without being stereotyped.

“It is just wrong and complete madness.

“I’ve had people ringing me up and giving me awful looks at school as if we’re doing something wrong.

“The rest of us have no symptoms and we would never put anyone at risk. The advice is for the family to carry on as normal.”

Thomas was diagnosed with swine flu on Wednesday after visiting his GP at Kirkburton Health Centre with what his parents thought were growing pains.

He was treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu and is recovering at home.

His asthmatic brother and younger sister were given a preventative course of the treatment because they are deemed as “high risk”. But his parents have received no treatment.

Dad Robert said: “We took him to the doctors because his legs were aching and he had a temperature. We thought it was growing pains.

“But even the way he was treated there was hysterical. They put a mask on him and led him off to a side room. He was really upset. He had heard about swine flu on TV and was frightened.