Illness on the Rise

Illness is on the rise again and Strep is the star of the week. We are seeing it in multiple grade levels and it's affecting not only students but staff as well.
In this communication, I have highlighted some important information on Strep t and when to keep your child home from school. When your child is sick, it's important that they stay home to rest, get better and to prevent the spread to others. 
 
Strep Throat
 
Strep is an infection caused by a type of bacteria. Strep throat needs treatment with antibiotics and most people get back to normal activity within a few days. 
 
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Strep Throat?
 
Most common symptom's:
  • sore throat that comes on quickly and is especially painful when swallowing.
  • fever
  • red and swollen tonsil with white patches or streak on them
  • painful or swollen neck glands
Other symptoms:
  • headache
  • stomach pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • rash
Not all sore throats are strep. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If a child has cold symptoms (runny nose and cough), a hoarse voice, or pink eye, their sore throat is more likely due to a virus and not bacteria. 
 
Strep is very contagious. Anyone can get it, but it mostly affects children and teens. Strep peaks in the winter and early spring when people tend to have more close contact with each other. 
 
If your child has a sore throat and other strep symptoms, call your doctor to schedule an appointment. Strep can be diagnosed in their office with a rapid test. If the test comes back positive, the doctors usually prescribe about 10 days of antibiotic medicine to treat the infection. Antibiotics will improve symptoms and after 24 hours of taking them, the infection can no longer spread to others.
 
Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent strep throat, but you can take the following measures to help stop the spread:
  • Wash the sick person's dishes, utensils, and drinking cups in hot soapy water or run through the dishwasher for sanitation.
  • Avoid sharing food, drinks, napkins, towels, etc. with the sick person.
  • Frequent handwashing using warm water and soap. Lather for 20 seconds, rinse and dry well.
  • Change out the infected persons toothbrush after they have been on their antibiotic for 24 hours.
  • Cover all sneezes and coughs. Use tissues and avoid sticking fingers in the nose or mouth.
  • Stay home from school, work, sports when not feeling well to avoid spreading germs.
Home care consists of rest, taking the entire course of prescribed antibiotics, (even if symptoms have subsided), lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and avoiding citrus drinks/foods. Popsicles, smoothies, soup and warm liquids can be soothing and help provide some nourishment  Over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be used for fever or pain. 
 
Returning to school
A student may return to school after they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours and symptoms have improved. If your child is not showing improvement after a few days, please check in with your doctor.
 
Some other illnesses or symptoms that your child should stay home for (not limited to).
  • A fever of 100 degrees F or higher.
  • Signs they are tired or weak- common with the flu
  • Diarrhea- having 1 or more episodes in a 24 hour period
  • Vomiting-having 1 or more episodes in a 24 hour period
  • Coughing that disrupts normal activity
  • Wheezing, shortness of breath or any severe breathing difficulties
  • Earache, headache, or sore throat lasting longer than 12 hours
  • Yellow, green discharge from the eye(s)
  • A new rash- Can return to school once it has been diagnosed as non infectious.
  • Recent injury, surgery, dental procedure that impedes daily activities.
  • Overall not feeling well or anything that will make it difficult to participate in the school day.
  • Any contagious disease such as strep, pink eye, flu, etc. or anything requiring an antibiotic. They may return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and improvement of symptoms.
I hope this has provided some guidance. As always, please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns.
 
Kindly,
Mrs. Wegener