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School Health Reference Guide
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Disclaimer:
The Region of Peel School Health Reference Guide is a supplementary resource to relevant Peel and Dufferin-Peel school board policies. Always refer to school board policy first if you have questions or concerns.
Childhood Diseases and Illnesses
Strep Throat / Scarlet Fever
(Group A Streptococcus (GAS) Disease)
Description/Symptoms
- Caused by a bacteria.
- Characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headache and possibly abdominal pain.
- Scarlet fever is characterized as a generalized sandpaper-like, flaky rash that accompanies strep throat symptoms.
- If untreated, ear infections, rheumatic fever, arthritis or kidney problems might occur.
- Contagious from onset of symptoms until 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
- Spread person to person by droplets when coughing or sneezing.
- Possibly contagious for 1 to 3 days before symptoms appear.
- The period between being exposed to the infection and the appearance of symptoms is 10 to 21 days.
Instructions for Schools
- Does not need to be reported to Peel Public Health.
- Child may return to school after 24 hours of antibiotics, if feeling well enough to participate.
- Encourage thorough hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
Notes
- Refer to physician for diagnosis and treatment.
For more information on communicable disease resources and programs, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.
(In Caledon, call 905-584-2216.)
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