Strep throat is caused by Group A Streptococci (GAS) bacteria (germs) which are passed through nose and mouth droplets.  It is very common in children.  Strep throat and minor skin infections from GAS (like impetigo) are very common, with an estimated 10 million cases per year in the United States.

Most sore throats, however, are caused by viruses and are not treated with antibiotics.

 
Symptoms of strep throat: 

Sore throat and any of these other signs of strep:
A white coating on the throat and tonsils
Headache
Fever
Stomach- ache / vomiting
Swollen and tender neck glands
Fine sandpapery rash

If your child develops a sore throat and any of these other signs, contact your health care provider. If you are aware that another child in the family or classroom has strep, ask that he/she be tested for strep throat.  If strep is diagnosed, your child should receive treatment.

If your child is  infected with Strep throat, your health care provider will usually prescribe antibiotics.

Why is it important that your child receive treatment?  There are three main reasons:

1. Treatment reduces spread. If not treated or not treated long enough, your child may continue to spread the infection to other members of your family.

2. Treatment with antibiotics can prevent rheumatic fever.  Although  rare, some children with untreated strep throat later develop rheumatic fever, which can cause abnormalities of the heart valves and inflammation of the joints.  Remember, it is very important that you finish the entire course of treatment to prevent complications, especially rheumatic fever.

3. A sick person will not pass the germs on to others after he/she has taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

When can your child come back to school? 

Children with strep infections may return to school after taking antibiotics for at least 24 hours and the fever is gone*.

*Fever should be absent for at least 24 hours before returning to school, without use of a fever reducer (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen).

What should you do to prevent the spread of strep throat?

1. Thoroughly wash your hands and your child’s hands after wiping noses and before eating or preparing food.
2. Wash dishes carefully in hot soapy water or sanitize in a dishwasher
3. Do not share food, cups, spoons, or toys that are put into a child’s mouth.
4. Consider purchasing a new tooth brush after the first 24 hours of treatment (or sanitize in a dishwasher)
 

NS 5/2013

Here is some information that may be helpful at this time of colds an flu.

Attachments:

Colds and Flu

Information about hand, foot, and mouth disease:

What is it? Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common illness of infants and young children, most commonly caused by a virus called coxsackievirus. Symptoms include mild fever, poor appetite, and a sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever begins, tiny blisters develop in the mouth. A skin rash also develops over 1–2 days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash is not itchy and is usually found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Illness is usually mild and most people get better in 7–10 days.

How do you catch hand, foot, and mouth disease? It is spread when the virus from stool or saliva gets on hands or objects and then onto other people’s hands and into mouths. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness but they still can have the virus for many weeks, especially in their stool. People usually get sick 3 to 7 days after being exposed to the virus.

How is hand, foot, and mouth disease diagnosed? Health care providers can tell if people have hand, foot, and mouth disease by their symptoms. A laboratory test can be done on the throat or stool to know for sure but since the testing often takes 2–4 weeks to obtain a final answer, these tests are usually not ordered.

How is hand, foot, and mouth disease treated? There is no specific treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease but your health care provider may suggest treatment to relieve some symptoms.

How do you stop the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease?

1. Always wash your hands with soap and running water after using the toilet, changing a diaper, helping a child use the toilet, and before touching food or eating. Also wash your hands after wiping or blowing noses or after touching nose, throat, or eye secretions. Babies and children need their hands washed at these times, too.
2. Encourage your child not to share food, drinks, or utensils at school.

When can your child return? A child with hand, foot, and mouth disease can return to school as soon as he/she feels well enough to.

Please take these precautions:

1. Watch your child and family members for signs of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
2. If you think your child may have hand, foot, and mouth disease, call your health care provider for instructions.
3. Tell us if your child has hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Dear Parents:

The Medfield Lyme Disease Study Committee, along with the Medfield Board of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, have determined Lyme Disease to be a health risk to the residents of Medfield and ask that you review the following information to help protect you, your family and pets.

Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are transmitted to humans by tick bites. As we spend more time outside, our chance of becoming host to a tick increases significantly. Consider following recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and use repellents according to their instructions on the Lyme disease Fact Sheet, www.mass.gov/dph. It is essential that daily tick checks are performed, by you, your children, and on your pets after having spent any time outside. If you find circumferential redness (bull’s eye) around a known or highly probable site of a tick bite seek medical attention. Lyme disease can be treated successfully if diagnosed in a timely manner.

For answers to all your questions about Lyme disease, please go to www.mass.gov/dph and click on “Public Health Fact Sheet” – right side of link and download the LYME DISEASE FACT SHEET.

You do not have to be walking in the woods to be bitten by a tick. Please try to reduce the number of ticks around your home by taking the following steps:

• Create a three-foot wide woodchip, mulch or gravel barrier where your lawn meets the woods. Ticks are less likely to survive crossing the barrier into the lawn because they are prone to drying out.
• Remove leaf litter and brush from around your home; keep your grass cut short.
• Prune low lying bushes and keep the plants around stone walls cut short.
• Keep woodpiles and bird feeders off the ground and away from your home.

Please use the Tick Identification Card  for guidance and do not hesitate to seek medical advice when in doubt.