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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Strep Throat Outbreak - What Would You Do?
JLH 08:02 AM 03-06-2013
Here's my situation; My hubby is my assistant. His throat hurt for about 2 weeks but he never went to dr. and it went away. My throat started to hurt as soon as he got better (last week) and one of my daycare parents came in complaining that her husband and her both had sore throats (mom also had laryngitis but son had only a runny nose). I went to dr. on Sat. when it really flared up and I was diagnosed with strep. Got on antibiotics right away and texted all daycare parents to let them know we had a strep outbreak in the daycare and it must be cured with antibiotics by a dr. Also, let them know I needed a dr.'s note to return if their child contracted it.
So far, no one else has had it, although my 10 yr old did just wake up complaining, so she is missing school to go to the dr. today, just to make sure.
Now here's the problem. Mom that came in sick at drop off and pick up times last week states that her kid is just fine. No reply to my text over the weekend and now she shows up with her 3 yr old son today. I ask if they went to dr. She says no, her kid only has a runny nose. I say, no I meant you and hubby because you both had sore throats last week and I texted you to tell you that we have strep here. She says, no but we are all better. (By the way; she's the type of mom who doesn't want to be bothered by raising her kid. Her home is very dirty with bugs from what I hear. Yikes!, when her kid has something wrong she won't take him in even though they are military and get free healthcare, she admits to tylenol ing him up to cover a fever before drop off, tried to tell me he wasn't contagious from an illness because he's on meds and when questioned further I find out it's NOT antibiotics it is tylenol and ibuprofen to mask symptoms, she comes in at 6 in the morning and is VERY loud when she knows my 3 kids are still asleep and no one else comes until after 7, and the worst part of it all is her husband is very well off and she is not working because she has to, but because she doesn't want to be home with her kid).
So.. what would you do? Do I need to keep the kid away from others in case he got what mom and dad had?
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JLH 08:14 AM 03-06-2013
By the way; he shows no symptoms of being sick this morning.
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Blackcat31 08:32 AM 03-06-2013
Not all sore throats are strep (even if you've been exposed). I have NEVER had strep in my life. My DH gets it when you say the word.

If the parents are ok now and feeling better, I don't think you can assume they have strep. It could be tonsillitis.

I would simply do what you always do and only exclude those kids who have illnesses or symptoms of an illness.

I wouldn't exclude anyone just because they were exposed to something.
We are exposed to a million and one things by simply coming into contact with another human being.

Plus it takes 2-5 days AFTER exposure to strep for symptoms to appear.... there is no way to know where and from who it started with. Some poeple are carriers and not sufferers...kwim?

I guess I just wouldn't put that much thought and/or effort trying to contain an illness that isn't present. Yet. If it becomes evident that the child is experiencing symptoms, then exclude. Until there are symptoms, I would just go about my day as usual.
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JLH 08:36 AM 03-06-2013
Thank you! That is what I needed to hear.
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itlw8 08:37 AM 03-06-2013
If they had strep they would not have gotten well that fast without antibiotics. and If the child has strep just tylenol will not help that much. sounds like a cold.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 08:41 AM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Not all sore throats are strep (even if you've been exposed). I have NEVER had strep in my life. My DH gets it when you say the word.

If the parents are ok now and feeling better, I don't think you can assume they have strep. It could be tonsillitis.

I would simply do what you always do and only exclude those kids who have illnesses or symptoms of an illness.

I wouldn't exclude anyone just because they were exposed to something.
We are exposed to a million and one things by simply coming into contact with another human being.

Plus it takes 2-5 days AFTER exposure to strep for symptoms to appear.... there is no way to know where and from who it started with. Some poeple are carriers and not sufferers...kwim?

I guess I just wouldn't put that much thought and/or effort trying to contain an illness that isn't present. Yet. If it becomes evident that the child is experiencing symptoms, then exclude. Until there are symptoms, I would just go about my day as usual.
This is how I feel as well.
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JLH 09:24 AM 03-06-2013
Thanks everyone! I sure do love this forum. So much better than just second guessing myself over every little thing. lol
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Scout 04:42 PM 03-06-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Not all sore throats are strep (even if you've been exposed). I have NEVER had strep in my life. My DH gets it when you say the word.

If the parents are ok now and feeling better, I don't think you can assume they have strep. It could be tonsillitis.

I would simply do what you always do and only exclude those kids who have illnesses or symptoms of an illness.

I wouldn't exclude anyone just because they were exposed to something.
We are exposed to a million and one things by simply coming into contact with another human being.

Plus it takes 2-5 days AFTER exposure to strep for symptoms to appear.... there is no way to know where and from who it started with. Some poeple are carriers and not sufferers...kwim?

I guess I just wouldn't put that much thought and/or effort trying to contain an illness that isn't present. Yet. If it becomes evident that the child is experiencing symptoms, then exclude. Until there are symptoms, I would just go about my day as usual.
Believe me, they would know if they had tonsilitis!! I had it from July 4-Sept when I was 22! I was soooo sick whenever I wasn't on antibiotics, fine on them. The day I was off it came back, every single time! With tonsilitis your neck is so sore that it hurts to turn your head. I had a heck of a time merging into traffic with this and also was very feverish and just ill all around! It is not a fun thing!! And I don't think I ever had strep as a kid or an adult! When he removed them they were the size of walnuts!! Believe me, I would rather have kids than have my tonsils removed as an adult...it hurt that much!! I hope all is well....Does mom know that strep in infants can sometimes present as a chronic runny nose? And also if not treated can go to the brain?? I think I would point those out in a newsletter of some sort!
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LK5kids 04:35 AM 03-07-2013
I have had strep maybe three times and from experience it knocks you down! My daughter was very prone to it and she would get really, really sick.

My guess he does not have strep.
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SquirrellyMama 08:46 AM 03-07-2013
I will agree with others that strep is PAINFUL. The times I had strep I couldn't even swallow water it hurt so much.

I know another poster said that strep will present as a runny nose in kids. It will also present as a stomach ache in kids. When my kids had strep they never complained about their throat, it was always their stomach.

ETA- Tonsillitis is also painful. I had my tonsils out at 4yrs old so I really don't remember it well. I've had strep as an adult which is why the pain is still in my memory.
K
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Blackcat31 08:49 AM 03-07-2013
Tonsillitis vs Strep Throat

Tonsillitis refers to the infection of the tonsil glands that often leads to a sore throat accompanied with severe pain and fever. On the other hand, streptococcal sore throat or streptococcal pharyngitis commonly termed as strep throat is a particular category of Group ‘A’ streptococcal infection affecting the larynx, pharynx and the tonsil glands.

Tonsillitis occurs once the tonsils get infected with a viral or bacterial infection. Such a condition initiates a swelling in the tonsils causing a lot of pain and unease. As soon as certain bacteria and viruses enter the body via nose or mouth, the tonsils are the first organic filter that they pass through. The filtration process often initiates the white blood cells resulting into the following symptoms if an infection is detected.

The common symptoms of tonsillitis are,



•Rigorous sore throat accompanied with pain in the ears
•Severe pain while swallowing
•Coughing
•Headache
•Myalgia or muscle aches
•Swelling of the neck and cheeks
•Fever
•Chills

Further medical inspection reveals swollen, reddish tonsil glands with an extrusive layer of numerous white patches.

The bacteria streptococcus pyrogene causes a strep throat creating a sore and scratchy sensation inside the throat. A little sore throat can often lead to a strep throat if not treated in the initial stages. Often a worsened state of strep throat can result into other serious conditions like rheumatic fever and inflammation of the kidneys. Strep throat has a lot of similar symptoms like tonsillitis (swollen tonsils, ear pain, headache, fever and chills) but there are a few distinctive signs that help recognize the condition. Some of those are as follows,
•Tender cervical lymphadenopathy
•Rash
•Hives
•Malaise, general discomfort, feeling ill or uneasy
•Halitosis
•Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
•Loss of appetite
•Peeling of skin on hands and feet
•Tonsillitis basically has three main types,
•Acute Tonsillitis- this often results from viral or bacterial infection
•Subacute Tonsillitis- this is caused by the bacterium Actinomyces
•Chronis Tonsillitis- this is the result of severe bacterial infection in all circumstances
•Strep throat on the other hand has no such variant kinds or types.

Summary:
1. Tonsillitis is infection of the tonsil glands whereas streptococcal sore throat affects the larynx, pharynx and the tonsil glands.
2. Tonsillitis occurs once the tonsils get infected with a viral or bacterial infection on the other hand the bacteria streptococcus pyrogene causes a strep throat.
3. Tonsillitis results in swollen tonsils, tender neck cervical lymph nodes while strep throat leads to cervical lymphadenopathy along with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting


Read more: Difference Between Tonsillitis and Strep Throat | Difference Between | Tonsillitis vs Strep Throat http://www.differencebetween.net/sci...#ixzz2MsDdXdE2
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LK5kids 12:26 PM 03-07-2013
Originally Posted by SquirrellyMama:
I will agree with others that strep is PAINFUL. The times I had strep I couldn't even swallow water it hurt so much.

I know another poster said that strep will present as a runny nose in kids. It will also present as a stomach ache in kids. When my kids had strep they never complained about their throat, it was always their stomach.

ETA- Tonsillitis is also painful. I had my tonsils out at 4yrs old so I really don't remember it well. I've had strep as an adult which is why the pain is still in my memory.
K
My daughter would throw up from all the infection draining! Ick! Yes, it can cause a stomach ache! Well, unless it was tonsillitis...doctors always said it was strep! They would do the throat swab.
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Unregistered 01:09 AM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by JLH:
Here's my situation; My hubby is my assistant. His throat hurt for about 2 weeks but he never went to dr. and it went away. My throat started to hurt as soon as he got better (last week) and one of my daycare parents came in complaining that her husband and her both had sore throats (mom also had laryngitis but son had only a runny nose). I went to dr. on Sat. when it really flared up and I was diagnosed with strep. Got on antibiotics right away and texted all daycare parents to let them know we had a strep outbreak in the daycare and it must be cured with antibiotics by a dr. Also, let them know I needed a dr.'s note to return if their child contracted it.
So far, no one else has had it, although my 10 yr old did just wake up complaining, so she is missing school to go to the dr. today, just to make sure.
Now here's the problem. Mom that came in sick at drop off and pick up times last week states that her kid is just fine. No reply to my text over the weekend and now she shows up with her 3 yr old son today. I ask if they went to dr. She says no, her kid only has a runny nose. I say, no I meant you and hubby because you both had sore throats last week and I texted you to tell you that we have strep here. She says, no but we are all better. (By the way; she's the type of mom who doesn't want to be bothered by raising her kid. Her home is very dirty with bugs from what I hear. Yikes!, when her kid has something wrong she won't take him in even though they are military and get free healthcare, she admits to tylenol ing him up to cover a fever before drop off, tried to tell me he wasn't contagious from an illness because he's on meds and when questioned further I find out it's NOT antibiotics it is tylenol and ibuprofen to mask symptoms, she comes in at 6 in the morning and is VERY loud when she knows my 3 kids are still asleep and no one else comes until after 7, and the worst part of it all is her husband is very well off and she is not working because she has to, but because she doesn't want to be home with her kid).
So.. what would you do? Do I need to keep the kid away from others in case he got what mom and dad had?
Maybe use Blis k12 oral probiotic. Check it out www.blis.co.nz
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Scout 03:44 AM 03-08-2013
Originally Posted by SquirrellyMama:
I will agree with others that strep is PAINFUL. The times I had strep I couldn't even swallow water it hurt so much.

I know another poster said that strep will present as a runny nose in kids. It will also present as a stomach ache in kids. When my kids had strep they never complained about their throat, it was always their stomach.

ETA- Tonsillitis is also painful. I had my tonsils out at 4yrs old so I really don't remember it well. I've had strep as an adult which is why the pain is still in my memory.
K
See, I learned something today! I didn't know about the stomach ache presentation since my kids have lucked out thus far and have not had it! Thanks for the info!
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Sherrycanon 11:09 PM 07-14-2016
Thanks for sharing the info.Don't isolate the child unless he is really sick.
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Tags:sick policy, strep throat
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