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SALT LAKE CITY -- Schools are often an incubator and transmission source for disease, just ask any first-year teacher.
Large numbers of students in confined spaces coupled with students not wanting to miss school and working parents needing children in school can, and often do, conspire to create an ideal environment for contagion.
What are the common illnesses that that your child may contract?
The cause of most childhood illnesses can be traced to one of three agents, bacteria, virus or some type of fungus. Treatment will very much depend on the causal agent. In all cases the source for the best information is your medical provider.
From the bacteria world there two major concerns for parents and schools. Commonly called Strep and Staph. Geri K. Metzger writing for MyOptumHealth.com describes the two as:
• Strep or streptococci. Strep are common bacteria. Some types can cause infections such as strep throat or other respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
• Staph or staphylococci. These often harmless bacteria commonly live in and on the body. Some varieties, though, can cause disease or infections.”
Antibiotics are often a course of treatment for a bacterial infection and should be used only under medical direction. A unique bacterial concern is MRSA. Metzger describes MRSA as:
• MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of staph. It gets its name because it has mutated over time to develop a resistance to most antibiotics used to treat it. It can cause a skin infection that can become very serious and difficult to treat.
Viruses can also cause a number of illnesses in school children. This time of year colds or influenza is likely the major concern for parents and schools. There is a difference in treatment between bacteria-l and viral-caused illnesses.
Dr. James M. Steckelberg, a clinical internist from the Mayo Clinic states: “Perhaps the most important distinction between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs usually kill bacteria, but they aren't effective against viruses. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine whether a bacterium or a virus is causing your symptoms. Many ailments — such as pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea — can be caused by either type of microbe.”
The eye infection often called pinkeye is a concern for contagion as well. Pinkeye or conjunctivitis can be caused by both bacteria and viruses. In either case it can be highly contagious.
Fungal infections like ringworm are the last category of infection. In most cases these are skin types of infections and are generally treated by topical creams.
In general, children are sicker than adults are and often develop complications. Your child doesn't need to see the doctor for a routine common cold.
Any or all of these infections can and likely will be transmitted in a school setting. The best way to contain the spread of illnesses is to keep your child home when they are ill. Teach your child to wash his or her hands regularly, and sneeze or cough into his or her elbow.
Schools will be wiping common surfaces, like door knobs, desks, tables and counters with disinfectant on a regular basis. Schools have a vested interest in keeping your child well and in attendance.
How do you know when to seek medical attention? Again from the Mayo Clinic website:
“In general, children are sicker than adults are and often develop complications. Your child doesn't need to see the doctor for a routine common cold. But seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms:
• Fever of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher in children age 2 or older
• Fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher in children ages 6 weeks to 2 years
• Fever of 100 F (37.8 C) in newborns up to 6 weeks
• Signs of dehydration, such as urinating less often than usual
• Not drinking adequate fluids
• Fever that lasts more than three days
• Vomiting or abdominal pain
• Unusual sleepiness
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent crying
• Ear pain
• Persistent cough
If symptoms in a child or an adult last longer than 10 days, call your doctor”
If your child develops a contagious disease keep them home and notify your child’s school. Keeping them home will help stop the spread and notifying your school will allow them to increase precautions and monitor the other students,
Guy is a longtime educator, having taught and coached tennis and swimming. He is school safety and security administrator for the Bonneville School District in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Guy has been married for 26 years and has three children.
