I thought it might be helpful to send some general information for common illnesses we are seeing at school.
- Upper respiratory virus: Symptoms may include runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Rest, good nutrition and hydration will be the best medicine. Antibiotic treatment will not help.
- Strep throat: (bacterial) symptoms typically are sore throat with red tonsils (often white spots on tonsils), headache, stomach ache or vomiting. Scarlet fever is another form of Strep. Your child will have a sandpaper like rash on the skin. The distinctive pink-red rash caused by scarlet fever develops 12 to 48 hours after symptoms like a sore throat or headache. Red blotches are the first sign of the rash. These turn into a fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch and looks like sunburn. It may also be itchy. For strep throat or scarlet fever, your child needs to see a healthcare professional to be diagnosed and prescribed an antibiotic after a lab test diagnosis.
- Stomach/GI illness: May or may not have a fever; symptoms may include abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhea and usually lasts no more than 48 hours. It usually comes on quickly and goes quickly!
- Conjunctivitis: Commonly known as “pink eye”, is most often caused by a virus but also can be caused by bacterial infection, allergies (e.g., cosmetics, pollen) and chemical irritation. Conjunctivitis can present as pink or redness of the eyes, with white or yellow discharge on the eyelids; eye pain, or redness of the eyelids or skin surrounding the eye. If your child has signs/symptoms of conjunctivitis, your child will need to see a healthcare professional. If diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis they will be prescribed an antibiotic eye drop. Please remind your child to wash their hands frequently, and to avoid touching their eyes.
For all of the above, when your child is without fever, vomiting, diarrhea for 24 hours from the last episode and feeling better, they may return to school. If diagnosed with Strep throat, scarlet fever, or bacterial pink eye-they may return to school 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment and symptom improvement. It is important to use the antibiotics exactly as directed for the full course of treatment.
Please let me know if you have any questions, I am always happy to help!
Rhiannon Rose
OMS School Nurse
