What is it? Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils.

What are the symptoms? It usually takes 2 to 5 days after exposure to become ill with strep throat.

Common symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Red and swollen tonsils
• Pain when swallowing
• Sore throat that started very quickly and may look red
• Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
• Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae
• White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils

Less common symptoms, especially for children, may include:

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rash (scarlet fever)
• Stomach pain

What are the risk factors?  Strep throat is more common in children than adults.

• Most common: Children 5 through 15 years old.
• Rare: Children younger than 3 years

Close Contact

Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor for illness.   Bacteria often spread to other people in the household.

When to return to work or school? Stay home until you no longer have a fever.  You also need to take antibiotics for at least 12 to 24 hours. Ask your healthcare provider when your child is cleared to return.

When to Call Emergency Medical Services EMS 9-1-1

Allergic Reaction

Asthma

Bites (Human & Animal)

Bleeding

Blisters (From Friction)

Bruises

Burns

What is it? Conjunctivitis often referred to as “pink eye” because it can cause the white of the eye to take on a pink or red color.  Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. There are three types of conjunctivitis inflammation: infectious, allergic, and chemical. Infectious conjunctivitis or pink-eye is caused by bacteria or a virus. It is most common in children under age 5. It is easily spread to others by touch, clothing, or other shared articles, like eye makeup applicators and eye medications. Allergic conjunctivitis may be caused by pollen, cosmetics, animals, or fabrics. Irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes, and chlorine in swimming pools may cause chemical conjunctivitis.

What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms are pinkness to redness in the eye(s); itchy, watery eyes; yellow discharge from the eyes; swollen eyelids, and a scratchy feeling in the eyes.

School attendance? Infectious conjunctivitis or pink-eye is contagious. Children who have a lot of eye drainage and itching should not return to school until approved by a healthcare provider.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.

Cuts (Small), Scratches & Scrapes (Including Rope & Floor Burns) &

Diabetes

Diarrhea

Ear Problems

Electric Shock

Eye Problems

Fainting

Fever & Not Feeling Well

FIFTH DISEASE AND PARVOVIRUS B19

What is it? Fifth disease and parvovirus B19 is a viral illness that most children recover from quickly and without complications. It is especially common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, which may produce a distinctive red rash on the face that makes a child appear to have a slapped cheek. The fifth disease begins with a low-grade fever, headache, and mild cold-like symptoms. The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs.

What are the symptoms? Fifth disease is usually mild for children and adults who are otherwise healthy and most cases do not require special medication.  Notice: If you are pregnant, immune-suppressed, or have sickle cell disease and you have been exposed to fifth disease, alert your healthcare provider.

School attendance? Since the rash may be prolonged and the illness mild, children who do not have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or greater should be able to attend school even though the rash is present.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices, contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.

HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE

How do you get hand, foot, and mouth disease?

• Contact with droplets that contain the virus made when a person sick with HFMD coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• Touching an infected person or making other close contact with them, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils.
• Touching an infected person’s poop, such as changing diapers, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Touching objects and surfaces that have the virus on them, like doorknobs or toys, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Although rare, you can also get the viruses by swallowing recreational water, like in swimming pools. This can happen if the water is not properly treated with chlorine and becomes contaminated with the poop from a person who has HFMD.

What are the symptoms? Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) usually include fever, mouth sores, and skin rash. The rash is commonly found on the hands and feet.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days.

School attendance?  Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is normally mild and skin rash may be prolonged. Children can continue to go to school as long as they:

• Have no fever
• Feel well enough to participate in class.
• Have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices, contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.

Head Injuries

HEAD LICE: What are lice and nits? Lice are tiny but visible insects.  They live in hair and survive on human blood.  The eggs of lice are called nits.  They too are very small but visible. Nits are extremely tiny and white, and they cling to the hair.  The female louse attaches her eggs to the hairs near the scalp. The eggs hatch and leave empty nit shells on the hair.  As lice mature, they begin laying more eggs.  It takes seven to 10 days for lice to mature.  For additional information about lice: Head Lice Information

Headache

Menstrual Difficulties

MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for infections in humans with many of the infections difficult to treat due to the bacterium’s resistance to a large group of antibiotics called the beta-lactams, which include penicillin and the cephalosporins. MRSA is often sub-categorized as community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) or healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Recent reports have noted the USA 300 and 400 strains of CA-MRSA have evolved to community-acquired levels that attack the healthiest of children and professional athletes making it very different than the traditional strain of MRSA that affects the immune-compromised. Given this, the importance of a disinfection program with proven efficacy against CA-MRSA 300 and 400 is vital.

How is MRSA spread? MRSA is predominately spread from person to person through direct skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces (e.g., towels, used bandages, weight-training equipment, playground equipment, synthetic-turf, etc.) that have been in contact with a person’s infection.  The bacterium is not carried through the air and does not live in the soil.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.

Neck & Back Pain

What is it? Norovirus infection is caused by a group of virus germs called noroviruses and can cause the “stomach flu” or gastroenteritis, or food poisoning. Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms of norovirus infection usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. A person may also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general feeling of lethargy. The illness is usually short, with symptoms lasting only about one or two days. In general, children may experience vomiting more than adults. Most people with norovirus infection have more than one of these symptoms.  People who are infected by the virus may become ill quickly. Symptoms of norovirus infection usually begin about 24 to 48 hours after the virus enters the body, but maybe evident as early as 12 hours after exposure. The norovirus infections are very contagious (illness can be spread quickly from person to person). People are contagious from the moment they start feeling sick until about three days after recovery.

School attendance? Since the virus is passed in vomit and stool, children should remain home from childcare or school for 24 hours after experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. When children return to school, handwashing must be monitored.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices, contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.

Nose Problems (Nosebleeds)

Nose Problems (Object in Nose)

What is it? Pertussis, often referred to as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that is easily preventable by vaccines.

What are the symptoms? Early symptoms include a runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild, occasional cough. These symptoms usually appear about seven to ten days after exposure to the bacteria. A cough gradually becomes more severe. After one to two weeks, the person begins to have episodes of hard, fast coughing that end in a long inhalation of air that sounds like a high pitched whoop, hence the nickname “whooping cough.” During an episode, the person may turn blue and appear ill and distressed. The person may vomit and show signs of exhaustion immediately after the episode. The whooping cough episodes may last one to six weeks. A cough slowly goes away but may return if the person has other respiratory infections. Very young children (less than 1 year of age) are most severely affected. Older children, teenagers, and older adults may have symptoms ranging from very mild to persistent cough. They do not usually make the whooping sound while coughing. However, they are still able to pass the disease on to other people.


How is it prevented? Immunizations are the best preventive method against pertussis. One immunization is called DTaP. It is for infants and young children. Tdap is another vaccine. It is for older children and adults. Both vaccines are a combination of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccines. In addition, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing can reduce the spread of the virus. Frequent hand washing is also recommended. Any person who has pertussis should not go to school or work until five days after treatment has begun.

For additional guidance regarding Cumberland County Schools’ Best Practices, contact the Office of Health Services at 910-678-2406 or your child’s Public Health School Nurse.

Poisoning and Overdose

Pregnancy

Puncture Wounds

Rashes

Seizures

Shock

Splinters or Imbedded Pencil Tips

Stings

Stomachaches/Pain

Teeth Problems (Bleeding Gums)

Teeth Problems (Displaced Tooth)

Unconsciousness

Vomiting