From The Mead School January 7, 2020 Dear Mead Families,
We have one confirmed case of Influenza in the Early Learning Center, and two cases of strep (one in ELC, one in K-8). Students diagnosed with a viral infection should defer to instructions from their healthcare practitioner. Below is information taken from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is Influenza (Flu)? Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
Flu Symptoms
-fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Please be sure to contact your healthcare practitioner should your child present with any of these symptoms. Children diagnosed with the flu can return to the program once they have been cleared by their doctor.
A few kind and gentle reminders:
What is Strep Throat? Strep throat is a common infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. It causes inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes lining the back of the throat and the tonsils. It can also be viral in nature.
Strep Throat Symptoms In general, the common signs and symptoms of strep throat include fever, sore throat, red and swollen/inflamed tonsils, swollen and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the upper neck, white patches or spots on the tonsils.
Individuals with strep throat can experience other associated signs and symptoms as well, which may include headache, abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting; general discomfort, feeling ill or uneasy; loss of appetite; small punctuate red spots on the roof of the mouth and skin rash.
Should your child present with any of these symptoms, or should you have any questions about Strep Throat, please contact your healthcare practitioner.
Students diagnosed with bacterial Strep Throat can return to the program once they have been on antibiotics for a period of 24 hours. They also need to be fever free for a period of 24 hours, beginning when the fever has dissipated naturally and without the aid of a fever reducer.
We'll continue to clean and disinfect and will look for additional opportunities to increase handwashing here at school. As always we recommend you encourage your children to wash hands when entering and exiting the building.
Kind regards,
Jeannette Baxendale Office Coordinator and Executive Assistant
© 2019 The Mead School | 1095 Riverbank Road | Stamford, CT 06903 School: 203-595-9500 | Early Learning Center: 203-595-0708 | Fax: 203-595-0735 | Voice Mail: 203-595-0853 |