Strep Throat is an easily treatable throat infection caused by a group A streptococci bacteria. It is most common in children over three years old and begins with a fever, a red, swollen throat and tonsils that can have a white coating of pus, swollen glands, decreased appetite and energy level.
Cases are most common during the winter months when people are crowded together indoors.
Signs and Symptoms – Pharyngitis, a painful inflammation of the throat (pharynx). Swallowing may become so painful that the child has difficulty eating. A child with strep pharyngitis often has a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius), with chills, body aches and loss of appetite. There also may be abdominal symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The tonsils and the back of the throat may look red, swollen, and dotted with whitish or yellowish specks of pus. There may be swollen glands in the neck and at the angles of the jaw. Strangely, in spite of all the throat pain, hoarseness and loss of voice are not common. In infants, strep throat infections – tend to cause symptoms that seem less limited to the throat. Infants may have a runny nose, crusting and sores around the nostrils and a low fever. They may also begin to feed poorly.
This infection is easily treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin. Your child will no longer be contagious after being on an antibiotic for twenty four hours. (It is important to take a complete course of antibiotics to prevent your child from getting rheumatic fever.)
According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children until on antibiotics for 24 hours. It is up to your child’s teachers and directors to decide if a child is ready to come back. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.
Group A streptococci may also cause sinusitis, ear infections,sinusitis, ear infections, pneumoniapneumonia, scarlet fever and skin infections (impetigo).
If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.
818-992-1942 • [email protected]
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