We have a confirmed case of strep throat at Kura.

It is important that if your tamaiti is unwell and has a sore throat that they are seen to by a doctor, also advise their doctor that a student from Kura has tested positive for strep throat.

Key points about strep throat

1. Strep throat is different from a viral sore throat you might get with a cold. Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus.
2. Without treatment, strep throat can cause rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can damage your heart.
3. Strep throat is contagious. It is spread by close contact, often by breathing in droplets from an infected person’s coughs and sneezes. It can also be spread through shared food or drinks.
4. Living close to other people, such as your family home, or school and university hostels, makes it easy to pass on strep throat from one person to another.
5. Children aged between 5–15 years have the highest rate of strep throat.

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

Symptoms of strep throat can include:

• a painful or scratchy throat, especially when you swallow
• difficulty swallowing
• redness at the back of your mouth
• fever
• bad breath
• the glands in your neck are swollen
• your tonsils are large and covered in white stuff
• headache
• stomach pain
• nausea and vomiting
• sometimes, you may also have a skin rash along with fever and sore throat

• Keep your tamaiti home if they are unwell
• Advise kura
• If it has been longer than 7days and they are still unwell, see a doctor
• Encourage covering of mouth when coughing, wash and sanitise hands often
• sanitise high touch areas often