Dear Central Parents/Guardians,
We have seen an influx of cases of strep throat in the last few weeks from elementary all the way through high school. The most common symptoms of strep throat are:
- a sore throat that can start very quickly
-pain with swallowing
-fever
- red or swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus)
-petichiae (tiny, red spots) on the roof of the mouth
-swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.
Children and adults can present with any or all of these symptoms. Other symptoms may include a headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting — especially in children. Someone with strep throat may also present with a rash (CDC, 2023).
If you feel like your child may have these symptoms, please keep them home from school and contact your provider. If your child tests positive for strep throat, your child may return 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotics.
Per our handbooks, please continue to keep your child(ren) home if he/she has a temperature of 100.0 F or higher, vomiting, diarrhea or an unexplained rash. They are able to return 24 hours from his/her last episode of vomiting or diarrhea and 24 hours from his/her last fever without fever-reducing medication. As always, please reach out to me with any health related concerns or questions,
Nurse Meghan