dept

Student Health Services

 

Streptococcal Disease
(Streptococcal Sore Throat, Scarlet Fever)

 

Cause:Group A beta hemolytic streptococci.

Signs and Symptoms:High Fever, sore throat, with pain on swallowing, vomiting within 12 hours of onset of rash. Most common in children aged 5 to 10 especially during the months of October to April.

Incubation Period:Time from contact to the development of signs and symptoms usually 28 to 72 hours after close contact. Incidence is highest among small children.

Mode of transmission:Usually by direct or intimate contact; via airborne droplets, i.e.: sneezing and coughing. Occasionally by contaminated food. Treated cases usually do not transmit after 48 hours. Untreated cases can transmit as long as 21 days.

Preventive Measures:Stressing the need for bed rest and isolation from others until antibiotic treatment is effective, completing medication, handwashing and properly disposing of soiled tissues.

Period of Communicability: If untreated, uncomplicated cases 10 - 21 days.

Implications for School:Should your child present any of these symptoms please contact your family physician for diagnosis and treatment. A child must be on antibiotic for 48 hours before returning to school.