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New Milton Infant School
Together, we make a difference
Strep A Virus
With the increasing rise in Strep A cases across the country, and the media focus on raising awareness, we thought it would be helpful to highlight the symptoms to look out for -
Common symptoms of strep A include:
Most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics.
Rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS).
You might find this guidance helpful when assessing whether your child is well enough to go to school - Can a child go to school/nursery today? :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
If your child is unwell and will not be coming in to school, you will need to contact us to advise that your child will not be attending each day they are absent. We have a dedicated answerphone to take absence messages, so you can contact the school at any time of the day or night, and leave a message.
We would request that you contact us by 9am on the day of absence.
If your child is unwell whilst at school or we have any health concerns, we will contact you to come and collect them.
For guidance, the recommendation from 'Public Health England' are:-
Vomiting and/or diarrhoea - children should be kept off school for 48 hours following an incidence of vomiting or diarrhoea.
Chickenpox - children should be kept off school until all vesicles (blisters) have crusted over.
Impetigo - children should be kept off school until lesions are crusted and healed or 48 hours after starting antibiotics.
Head Lice - Treatment is recommended where live lice have been seen. Once the hair has been treated, they can return to school.
GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS
When your child is unwell, it is often difficult to know what you need to do and whether they should be in school.
With this in mind a number of health professionals (including GPs and NHS specialists) have collaborated to produce a website for parents called Healthier Together .
This website has a wealth of information for you and your child including advice on pregnancy, keeping your child safe and healthy, and childhood illness.
The section worried your child is unwell gives up to date medical advice on symptoms and how to look after your child should they become unwell as well as where to go should you need to access services.
There is a section to guide parents when their child is unwell and clarify when they should return after illness. Please click on this link for further guidance https://what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/child-unwell-ok-go-nurseryschool
Please follow the link below for guidance regarding Strep A
https://what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/scarlet-fever
They have also produced a useful leaflet for parents (below) giving an overview of the more common illnesses, describing the symptoms, what to do and an at a glance 'traffic light' system to guide parents as whether their child should be in school.
There are also paper copies available from the school office.
(All the items in red italics will link directly to the relevant section of the Healthier Together website.)