Dear Parents and Guardians:

One or more students at our school have been diagnosed with strep throat.

Please take these precautions:

      1. Watch your child for signs of sore throat and other signs of strep (headache, fever, stomach ache, rash, swollen and tender neck glands).

2. If your child develops a sore throat and any of these signs, please see your healthcare provider, tell him or her that another child in the school has strep, and ask to have your child tested for strep throat.

3. Tell us if your child has been diagnosed with strep infection.

Information about strep throat:

What is it? Strep throat is an infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. People with strep throat usually have a very red, painful throat, often with fever, and sometimes with headache, abdominal pain, and nausea and/or vomiting. Sometimes symptoms can be more subtle and less severe. Most sore throats, however, are caused by viruses and are not treated with antibiotics.

How do you get strep throat? Strep throat can affect persons of any age but is most common in children. The bacterium is spread person-to-person through secretions and is easily passed in households. It takes 2-5 days to become ill. People with strep throat are generally most infectious when they are sick. They continue to be infectious until they have received treatment for a day or so.

How is it diagnosed? A laboratory test, such as a throat culture or a rapid test is needed to confirm strep infection.

How is it treated? Strep infections are usually treated with an oral antibiotic, starting either with characteristic symptoms or after a strep test is positive. Sometimes an injection of antibiotic may also be used to treat strep.

Why is it important that your child receive treatment? There are two main reasons:

1. Treatment reduces spread. If not treated or not treated long enough, your child may continue to spread the infection to other members of your family or to other children.

2. Treatment with antibiotics can usually prevent rheumatic fever or other rare, but possible dangerous complications. Rarely, some children with strep throat can develop complications like blood infections or rheumatic fever, which can damage the heart or joints.

When can your child come back to school? Children with strep infections may return to school after taking medicine for at least 24 hours and their fever is gone.

How do you stop the spread of strep throat?

1. Thoroughly wash your hands and your child’s hands after wiping noses and before eating or                 preparing food.

2. Wash dishes carefully in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher

            3. Do not allow the sharing of food or allow children to share cups, spoons, or toys that are put in                 the mouth.

If you have any questions please contact your Health Provider or the School Nurse.