- The common cold is caused by a virus, and this virus is spread by contact with nose or throat fluids. The disease is self-limiting and usually resolves within 4-10 days without complication.
- Signs and Symptoms: Runny nose / red eyes / sneezing / sore throat / dry cough / headache and general body aches.
- Treatment: Colds are usually managed at home, and treatment is guided by symptoms. Tylenol or Motrin is used to alleviate mild fever and discomfort. Rest is recommended until child is free of fever more than 24hrs. Do not return to school unless fever free (without the use of medication) for 24hrs. Drink plenty of water or juice.
- Prevention: Avoiding contact with affected persons. Children should be taught to wash their hands thoroughly before putting them near their nose, mouth, or eyes and to cover their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing. Proper disposal of used tissues is necessary.
When to call health professional: Persistent high fever not controlled with Motrin or Tylenol / persistent or worsening of symptoms.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
- The flu is spread by a virus, and this virus is spread by direct contact with nose or throat fluids. Symptoms are similar to cold, but they are more severe and come on suddenly. Symptoms usually last for 4-5 days.
- Signs and symptoms: Fever (101-104ºF) / chills / muscle aches / headache / pain in muscles around eyes / fatigue and weakness / sneezing and runny nose.
- Treatment: Tylenol or Motrin for fever and discomfort. Get plenty of rest. Drink extra fluids of water of juice. Do not return to school unless fever free (without the use of medication) for 24hrs.
- Prevention: Annual flu vaccination. Wash hands often and keep hands away from nose, eyes, and mouth. Children need to cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Do not eat or drink after another person.
- When to call a health professional: Persistent high fever not controlled with Motrin or Tylenol, persistent or worsening symptoms. If you suspect that you have may have the flu, consult with your doctor who may prescribe medication to reduce the severity and coarse of the flu.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
- Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the upper airway. It is not a serious disease itself but affected children are at risk of secondary complications if not treated properly.
- Signs and symptoms: Sore throat / runny nose / fever (100°F) / headache / may or may not have white or yellow coating on the tonsils. Strep throat must be diagnosed by physician.
- Treatment: If strep infection is present, an antibiotic is prescribed. Take the full course of the antibiotic as prescribed even though symptoms subside or you start to feel better. If no strep infection present, take Tylenol or Motrin to control fever. Drink plenty of water and juice. Gargle warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water) to reduce swelling and discomfort. Do not return to school unless fever free (without the use of medication) for 24hrs.
- Prevention: Avoid contact with affected persons. Children should be taught to wash their hands thoroughly before putting them near their noses, mouths, or eyes. Avoid sharing drinking glasses and personal items such as toothbrushes.
- When to call a health professional: Difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing. If sore throat occurs with these symptoms - Fever 100°F, white or yellow coating on tonsils or swollen glands in neck. If rash occurs with sore throat. If sore throat last longer than two weeks.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
- MEDLINE
- An increase in the frequency of bowel movements and the discharge of loose, watery stools. May be caused by a virus, bacteria, consumed food, or antibiotic therapy. For mild diarrhea, specific treatment is not generally required unless dehydration occurs.
- Signs and symptoms: Abrupt onset of frequent loose, watery stools, abdominal cramping.
- Treatment: Mild diarrhea generally runs its course by eating a balanced diet without any further intervention. Drink extra water and non-citrus juice. Avoid caffeine. Eat a bland diet that limits milk products, greasy, and spicy foods to minimize abdominal cramping. Do not use anti-diarrhea medication unless recommended by your physician. Do not return to school unless fever free and diarrhea free (without the use of medication) for 24hrs.
- Prevention: Children should be taught to wash their hands thoroughly before putting them near their noses, mouths, or eyes. Avoid contaminated food and water.
- When to call a health professional: Stools are black or bloody (Pepto-Bismol may cause stool to look black). Diarrhea accompanied with fever 100°F, chills, vomiting, or fainting. Signs of dehydration occur (sunken eyes, no tears, dry mouth and tongue, little or no urine, rapid breathing, and heart beat).
-
For further information KIDS
HEALTH
- An inflammation of the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, pollution, or other irritants.
- Signs and symptoms: Redness in the whites of the eyes / Swollen eye lids / Crusting of eyelids - especially on awakening
- Treatment: Gently wipe edge of eyelid with clean wet washcloth to remove encrusted matter. (Wipe away from opposite eye). Topical antibiotic for bacterial infection.
- Prevention: Keep wash cloths separate. Dispose of tissues used to clean eye properly. Instruct children not to rub eyes and to wash hands thoroughly after touching eye.
- When to call a health professional: If there is pain in eye (not irritation), blurring, or loss of vision, not cleared with blinking / The eye is painfully sensitive to light / The skin around eye or eyelid is red / If you feel there is a foreign object in eye / The eye is red, and there is discharge that does not begin to improve in 24hrs / There is an abnormal difference between the sizes of the pupils / Problem persists for more than seven days.
-
For further information KIDS
HEALTH
-
MEDEM
- Tiny, wingless insects that live on the scalp. Spread by close physical contact or contact with clothing, bedding, brush/comb of an infected person. Adult louse lives 48hrs when away from human host. Female louse lays eggs (nits) on hair shaft close to skin. The nits hatch in approximately 7-10 days.
- Signs and symptoms: Itching caused by the crawling insect. Translucent white or dark colored nits firmly attached to hair shaft. Adult louse may be found crawling in hair.
- Treatment: Administration of over-the-counter medication NIX or RID and manual removal of the nits. Daily removal of nits with a metal nit or flea comb is essential. Wash clothing and bed linen with hot water. Students must be cleared by school nurse before returning to class.
- Prevention: Prompt treatment can help prevent spreading lice to others. Children are cautioned against sharing combs, hair ornaments, hats, scarves, coats, and other items on or near the hair. Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water. Iron items that cannot be washed. Lice are not transmitted by pets.
- When to call a health professional: If over-the-counter medication and environmental measures are not successful. Contact school nurse for assistance.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
- Bacterial infection in the skin. The infection is contagious and tends to heal without scarring. Common in children and starts out by a cut or scratch becoming infected.
- Signs and symptoms: Oozing, honey-colored, crusty sores that often appear on the face, head or neck.
- Treatment: Remove crusts by soaking the area with a warm washcloth for 15-20 minutes, then scrub gently with antibacterial soap. Repeat several times per day. Apply antibiotic ointment – keep area covered with gauze until resolved.
- Prevention: Do not share towels or washcloths. Avoid contact with lesions. Wash hands vigorously after contact with lesions.
- When to call a health professional: If impetigo covers a total area larger than 2 inches in diameter. If impetigo is not improving after 3-4 days of home treatment, or new areas of infection appear. If the area around the nostrils, lips, or face swell and becomes tender / fever 100°F / redness or red streaks extending from area.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
- Caused by a virus. Child may have a few spots, or the rash may cover the entire body, including throat, mouth, ears, groin, and scalp. The spots turn into clear blisters that break open and crust over. The spots continue to appear for one to five days and subdue over a week or two. It is very contagious for 1-2 days before the rash and 5 days after the spots appear. Children must be evaluated by the school nurse before returning to school.
- Signs and symptoms: Cough, fever 100°, sore throat and rash.
- Treatment: Tylenol or Motrin to relive fever. DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO CHILDREN. Oral Benadryl and warm baths with some baking soda or oatmeal bath to alleviate itching. Administer topical calamine lotion. (Avoid Benadryl creams). Antiviral medication may be prescribed by physician.
- Prevention: Varicella vaccination. Avoid contact with infected persons.
- When to call a health care professional: If your child has a weakened immune system / Fever persists longer than 24hrs / Sores appear in eyes / Persistent vomiting / Severe headache / Stiff neck.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
- Contagious fungal infection of the scalp or body
- Signs and symptoms: Round spots that may be scaly or itchy. May appear on the torso as a small, red, insect bite that itches and grows with a smooth center and raised edge.
- Treatment: Apply over the counter antifungal agent Micatin, Lotrimin AF, or Lamisil. Use the medication for a week or two after the symptoms clear up to prevent further recurrence.
- Prevention: Wash hands thoroughly after contact with lesions. Examine house-hold pets for infection. Affected children should not share towels. Infected area should be covered with a Band-Aid while at school.
- When to call a health care professional: If signs of infection are present (increased swelling and redness or signs of pus). If home treatment fails to improve a fungal infection after two weeks or clear it up after one month. Ringworm of the scalp willl need evaluation and treatment from a doctor.
- For further information KIDS HEALTH
This content is to provide some health information
regarding common health conditions of children and is not a replacement for
medical evaluation, diagnosis or treatment by your medical doctor.