POPULAR DISEASES AT CDS
 It seems that Strep Throat and Pink Eye are popular diseases at CDS since the Christmas Break. You may have seen a note coming home with your child about one or both of these diseases if it has been reported in your child’s classroom. Since we are seeing so much of these two diseases right now, we would like to include some information about them in this newsletter.

STREP THROAT
The characteristic signs and symptoms of this disease can include headache, fever (99-105 degrees), sore or red throat, white spots on the tonsils, swollen tonsils, swollen lymph glands down the sides of the neck, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, dry lips, dark circles under the eyes, extra tiredness, red raised rash anywhere on the body (but usually on the neck and chest), and foul smelling breath.
 
Your student may just have one or a few of the above symptoms, but if they persist, he/she probably needs to be seen by a Doctor. The only way to diagnose Strep is to have a throat culture done. Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection and therefore antibiotics are a necessary treatment. Once the doctor has diagnosed Strep, the student should remain out of school until they have been on antibiotics for a full 24 hours. The student is considered contagious until this time. Be sure to finish all of the antibiotics, even when the student appears to be well. If Strep is not treated completely, or not at all, serious heart or kidney problems could occur.

PINK EYE
The Symptoms of Pink Eye (Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis) include inflammation of the clear membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the white of the eye and inside the surface of the eyelid, swelling of the eyelids and a discharge from the eyes which is usually thick with mucous and pus causing the eyelids to stick together. Infection may begin in only one eye, but usually spreads to involve both. Pain is uncommon, but there may be itching or burning of the eyes.
 
Infection spreads from person to person by direct contact, in droplets coughed or sneezed into the air, or on hands, towels and washcloths. The time until illness begins depends on the germ involved, but is usually two to seven days after exposure.
 
Infection responds readily to antibiotic treatment. Cases should be excluded from school until twenty-four hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
 
If you feel your child may have Pink Eye, please have them see the doctor before returning to school.
 
If you have questions regarding either one of these diseases, feel free to call the school nurse or your doctor.

Linda McClure, CDS School Nurse
316-794-4260  ext. 50050
 

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