Often time's parents are worried about Strep throat; however, there are many viruses that also can cause a sore throat. Symptoms of Strep throat are a red, painful throat with or without white patches on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, a fever, headache, sometimes nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The only way to diagnose Strep throat is with a throat culture. Strep throat can be treated with antibiotics, but viruses cannot. A viral infection usually gets better in a few days without any intervention.

If a viral sore throat is what you have there are some things you can do to help relieve some of the symptoms. Such as taking Tylenol to help with the pain, warm salt water gargles, or suck on throat lozenges. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and get enough sleep, within a few days you will be as good as new.

Please contact the nurse's office at 243-6659 if your child has a strep infection or any other contagious illness. Our office will notify all parents in the grade level by e-mail of this contagious exposure so that necessary precautions can be taken. To prevent further spread and keep kids healthy, remember to encourage good hand washing techniques, especially after coughing, sneezing, and before preparing food or eating. If you child is diagnosed with strep throat or any other contagious disease, please keep them home for at least 24 hour after then have been or antibiotics or until your doctor tells you they are not contagious. Remember, if your child has a fever of 100° or above, if you child has been vomiting, or if your child has diarrhea please keep for child home for 24 hours after they are symptom free.