| "Classroom
Contagions"
Here are the symptoms of and treatments for the most
common illnesses in schools:
Strep Throat
The bacterium streptococcus causes this often-painful infection.
Symptoms: Symptoms generally come on suddenly and include
sore throat, chills, fever, headache, nausea and sometimes
vomiting. The throat is red and tonsils are swollen. Lymph
nodes may also be swollen.
Diagnosis/treatment: A strep test at the doctor's office
can quickly diagnose the illness, and a 10-day course of
antibiotics is typically prescribed. At many schools, students
are allowed to return to school after 24 hours or more
of physician-prescribed medication, but check with your
school first.
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Head Lice
This is one of the most common -- and easy-to-catch --
problems that plague schools today. Children who play
together or share hats or combs are susceptible.
Symptoms: A child will experience an extremely itchy scalp.
Sometimes lymph glands in the back of the neck can become
swollen.
Diagnosis/treatment: Female lice lay shiny white eggs
in hair, which can be seen upon close inspection. (It may
even look like dandruff.) If you suspect lice, call your
child's doctor -- he'll likely prescribe a medicated shampoo.
You also must wash all bedding and clothing (and don't
forget stuffed animals) that have come in contact with
your child in the last 48 hours to prevent re-infection.
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Fifth Disease
Most kids are exposed to this viral disease before kindergarten,
but it always seems to appear in elementary schools.
It's believed to be caused by a parvovirus.
Symptoms: The hallmark sign is sudden bright red patches
on both cheeks -- it looks as though the person has been
slapped. The rash may come and go for weeks.
Diagnosis/treatment: Because the infection is viral, there
isn't much you can do besides relieve the symptoms. Your
child can spread the disease from person to person with
the cold-like symptoms that precede the rash, but once
the rash appears, she is no longer contagious.
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Cold/Flu
Colds are caused by common viruses and are transmitted
from person to person through the air or via hand-to-hand
contact. The flu is an acute respiratory infection caused
by a virus. It is spread through airborne droplets of
respiratory fluids when a person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms: Cold symptoms include congestion, runny nose,
fever, headache, cough, sore throat or fatigue. Signs of
the flu are fever, muscle aches and pains, dry cough, runny
nose, congestion, headache and fatigue.
Diagnosis/treatment: There is no cure for either, but
be sure your child gets plenty of rest and drink lots of
fluids. A few days home from school may be in order. There
is an influenza vaccine, but it is not recommended for
children unless they already have a chronic health problem,
such as asthma.
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Conjunctivitis
Also known as pink eye, this highly contagious condition
is spread by contaminated fingers, wash clothes or towels
that touch the eye.
Symptoms: The white part of the eye turns red and gritty.
A discharge of yellow pus is also common and a crust may
form on the eye at night.
Diagnosis/treatment: Treatment depends on the cause. If
a bacterium has caused the infection, your doctor will
likely prescribe antibiotic eye drops. If the pink eye
is a viral infection, the eye will clear up on its own.
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Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is one of the most common and recognized childhood
illnesses. It's also very easy to get. Since airborne
droplets spread the disease of moisture that contain
the varicella-zoster virus, a simple cough can infect
dozens.
Symptoms: The first signs of chicken pox appear 10 to
21 days after infection. A red rash of fluid-filled blisters
appear. They itch and eventually develop a crust on them.
Diagnosis/treatment: Your doctor will take one look and
know its chicken pox. Most mild cases only require treating
the symptoms. The Varicella vaccine can prevent chickenpox.
Talk to your doctor for more information.
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Sick-Day Signs
Deciding whether to send your child to school or let them
stay in bed can be a tough call. Here's what the experts
say: Keep your child home from school if he has a fever
of 100 degrees or higher, vomits or has diarrhea. Also,
if he has been diagnosed with the flu or has severe cold
symptoms (constant coughing, sneezing, etc), you probably
should keep him home so he doesn't spread the illness
to others.
Article from "Ladies' Home Journal"
www.lhj.com
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