Childhood Diseases and Illnesses
Pneumococcal Disease (Streptococcus pneumoniae, invasive)
Description/Symptoms
- Caused by bacteria.
- The major syndromes of pneumococcal disease are pneumonia, bacteria in the blood and meningitis
- Symptoms include quick onset of fever and chills, chest pain due to inflammation of the lining of the lungs, productive cough, and shortness of breath, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, bodily discomfort and weakness.
- It is unknown how long the person is contagious but presumably as long as the bacteria appears in respiratory secretions.
- Spread by direct person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets.
- The period between exposure to the infection and the appearance of symptoms may be as short as 1 to 3 days.
Instructions for Schools
- Needs to be reported to Peel Public Health. Please see Handling and Reporting Communicable Diseases for reporting procedures.
- For reporting cases, complete a Notification of Disease in Schools form (PDF 171KB, 2 Pages).
- Exclusion unnecessary.
- Student may return to school when well enough to participate.
- Encourage thorough hand washing and respiratory etiquette
- Remember to protect the confidentiality of the student by not disclosing a diagnosis to concerned parents and/or colleagues. If contact follow up of those exposed is required Peel Public Health will contact those who are at risk.
Notes
- Vaccinations are given as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule.
- Other vaccines may be recommended by a physician.
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