Happy Friday Firebirds!
Here is Part 2 of common childhood illnesses....
Impetigo - a bacterial skin infection that is caused by group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Signs and symptoms include skin sores that may have a honey-colored, gummy, crusty or blister-like appearance. They are itchy, and most often around the nose and mouth, or on the bottom. Impetigo is contagious as long as sores are present or until treated with oral antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Transmission can occur by direct contact with the sores, drainage, contaminated hands, or contaminated surfaces. To reduce the chances of spreading impetigo, cover sores with a bandage and refer to a health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Pink Eye (contagious conjunctivitis) – caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, irritants, fungi, amoebas, parasites, or foreign bodies. Signs and symptoms include watery eyes, itching, pain, or irritation, redness of the white part of the eye and/or the lining of the eyelids, swelling of the eyelids, sensitivity to light, crusting of the eyelid or eyelashes, and a pus-like discharge may occur. Some forms of pink eye are contagious, depending on the cause. See your doctor or eye care professional to help determine the source. Contagious pink eye is transmissible from the onset of signs and symptoms, and while the eye is still red and draining. Spread through contact with the discharge from the eyes, either directly, through contaminated hands, or items soiled with discharge. Treatment will depend on the type of pink eye but usually consists of some form of eye drops.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease – caused by a strain of enterovirus, common in children, but anyone can get it. HFM is not usually serious but it is very contagious and spreads quickly. Spread through person to person contact, respiratory droplets and secretions, fecal matter, fluid from blisters or scabs, and contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Common symptoms are fever, sore throat, sores in the mouth, and rash on palms of hands and soles of feet. There is no treatment for HFM, only supportive care for symptoms which may include pain/fever reducers and making sure to drinking plenty of fluids. See the doctor if symptoms don’t improve within 10 days, your child is unable to drink enough fluids, or symptoms become severe.
Meningitis – a swelling of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord is usually the cause. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. Having meningitis doesn’t always mean you have meningococcal disease, and having meningococcal disease doesn’t necessarily mean you have meningitis. Some forms of meningitis are contagious, spread by direct contact with bodily fluids and secretions, droplets in the air, or on surfaces. Very important to see a doctor to diagnose the type of meningitis in order to guide treatment.
Be Happy & Be healthy Firebirds!
Amber Petculescu RN
Gavilan Peak School Nurse
(623)445-7410
amber.petculescu@dvusd.org
