Strep policy

Strep throat is a common illness in childhood. It usually occurs as a sore throat, which may or may not be red, and is commonly accompanied by a fever. A definite diagnosis can only be made through a throat culture done by your source of medical care. Infection is spread by direct or intimate contact, through discharges from the nose, throat and skin of the infected person, who may or may not have any symptoms. Infection can also be spread indirectly through contaminated hands or objects. Symptoms appear between 1-3 days after exposure. Persons are no longer infectious 48 hours after the start of treatment.

If untreated, the streptococcal bacteria responsible for strep throat can cause more serious illness, such as rheumatic fever. Therefore, check your child’s temperature when he/she complains of sore throat for longer than 48 hours, it is advisable to have your child seen by their source of medical care. If she/he has a strep throat, your child may not return to school until she/he has been taking medicine for at least 24 hours.

We would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of prevention of infections through proper handwashing, particularly before eating or handling food and after contact with body secretions or discharges.

After your child returns to school, if they need to take medication, please inform the medication assistant at school. There is a medication procedure to follow and a form for you and your doctor to complete