Avoiding Strep Throat

Oh no, someone in your kiddo’s class was diagnosed with strep? Let’s talk about how your child can avoid catching it as well as early signs of the illness in case we’re too late.

To avoid catching strep throat, your child should focus on basic health hygiene.

• Wash their hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing
• Use hand sanitizer after using or playing with shared items in the classroom
• Avoid sharing cups or utensils with other kids
• Disinfect surfaces frequently - desks, doorknobs, cabinet handles, computers, etc.
  

Since you already know a child in your child’s classroom was diagnosed with strep, watch your child for signs of illness for 2-5 days. This is how long it typically takes for someone who’s been exposed to begin showing symptoms. If your child isn’t showing any signs of illness, they don’t need to miss any school.

Common signs and symptoms of strep throat include:

• Sore throat (shocking, eh?); this can be severe and it may hurt very badly to swallow
• Fever
• Red, swollen tonsils; sometimes with white streaks or pus
• Small, red spots on roof of the mouth (called petechiae)
• Swollen lymph nodes on the sides or front of the neck, along/under the jawline 
  

Signs of strep throat that are easily missed in our children:

• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Nausea or vomiting
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If your child begins showing any of the signs above, give the doctor a call, letting them know your child has recently been exposed to strep throat. (This isn’t urgent - you can call during office hours!) The doctor can have your child tested using a throat swab and/or throat culture and start antibiotics if either of the tests are positive.

If your child does happen to get strep throat from their classmate, be aware that it spreads much more easily within a household than in a classroom, so everyone in the house should be on high alert. Following the list of preventative measures above not only increases your chances of staying healthy, but also helps your coworkers and other classmates of your kiddo(s) stay healthy.