Because of the close contact necessitated by instruction, schools are akin to Petri dishes of various conditions. Colds, lice, strep throat, pink eye and a host of contagious conditions quickly can pass from child to child or child to adult, creating a mini-epidemic in short order.
It’s a problem that manifests in any close-quarters grouping, from nursing homes to day care centers to athletic locker rooms, gyms and army barracks. But because children may not be as conscientious about sharing personal items or covering their mouth when sneezing, germs seem to spread more quickly in school than elsewhere.
While the outbreaks of typical schoolhouse diseases are not usually cause for panic, they can create issues of lost school time and lagging concentration. Thus, it is imperative to make sure that everyone understands the rules of good hygiene, such as always washing hands, and to make sure everyone attending school is properly vaccinated for the major childhood diseases, including measles, mumps and whooping cough.
For children and their maturing immune systems, schools are often the primary means of acquiring diseases. Bacteria and viruses are easily passed in the close quarters of classrooms, school buses and lunch rooms. Children also acquire problems like lice or scabies by sharing clothing or by being in close personal contact with someone who is infected.
School Daze: Common Infections
Here are some common health problems that school children may encounter, along with some ideas on how to limit exposure and prevent transmission.
Bed bugs -- These microscopic creatures are making something of a comeback. They are small insects that usually love to hide in mattresses or upholstered furniture and lay eggs. They feed on blood and can cause small, painful bites but do not spread disease; however, they may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive people. Unfortunately, getting rid of them is hard and may require throwing out an infested mattress or piece of furniture.
Chicken pox -- Although largely controlled by vaccination, chicken pox has made a reappearance among vaccination-shy families and new immigrants. It is highly contagious among those who have not been vaccinated. Though it may cause a fever and those hallmark bumps, it also can become serious in certain populations.
Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses -- These conditions are often caused by bacteria development on improperly prepared or mishandled food or may be contracted from a classmate with a virus. Good hygiene is the first line of defense, including vigorously washing hands with soap and hot water after using the bathroom.
Fifth disease – Sometimes referred to as "slapped cheek syndrome" because of the red rash produced on the face, it is a common virus and can quickly spread to the trunk, arms and legs of someone infected.
Flu, including H1N1 — Cough, sore throat and body aches are the telltale signs of the flu. A flu shot at the beginning of the fall may help prevent issues, but it is not absolute protection against the flu virus.
Head lice -- These are small nits that burrow into hair follicles, usually transmitted in close quarters by personal contact or when children share hats and other clothing. Lice do not transmit disease, but getting rid of them requires special medicated shampoo treatments and combing with fine-tooth combs.
Impetigo -- A staph or strep infection on the skin, impetigo is highly contagious. Anyone acquiring it needs to cover the affected area and use an antibiotic ointment.
Measles -- Once a common early childhood disease, measles is another illness that is on the comeback trail despite the existence of an effective vaccine. Many school districts require that children be immunized and insist on proof before admission to the school, but some do not. Particularly with parents who are wary of all vaccines, and with new immigrants who come from countries where health care is lagging, measles protections may not be in place.
MRSA — This is a serious and potentially deadly skin infection that is resistant to certain antibiotic treatments. Anyone acquiring it needs immediate medical attention and should be kept out of school until cleared by a medical professional. It is commonly passed along in locker rooms and other areas with warm, moist conditions.
Pertussis — Once believed to be virtually eradicated in North America, pertussis (popularly known as whooping cough) is also enjoying a comeback. The disease is particularly tough on younger children, so it is important to have them immunized before attending school.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) — This is a condition that causes extreme redness to the white of the eye or eyelid, and in its worst-stage cases, may induce an eye discharge and itchy, burning eyes. It is transmitted by touching or sharing towels and can travel quickly from classmate to classmate. It is important to wash hands thoroughly to prevent transmission.
Ringworm — This is a fungal skin infection, often manifesting as a ring-like rash. It is transmitted by person-to-person contact and sometimes acquired from animals.
Scabies — A skin disease, scabies is a tiny mite that burrows under the skin and causes major itching and a rash. It is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and requires an antibiotic ointment treatment.
Strep Throat - An infection that is usually diagnosed with a throat culture, it manifests as an extremely sore throat, often accompanied by runny nose and a fever.
Precautions
Exposure to these conditions is almost inevitable in a large school population. The key to preventing the conditions from becoming widespread boils down to hygiene and proper attention by school authorities to changes in behavior that may indicate a sick child.
Experts encourage parents to monitor their children for illnesses or changes in behavior, such as sleeping longer and loss of appetite, which may indicate illness. Practice good sanitation in food preparation and frequently wash hands. All of these issues will go a long way toward minimizing any problems that may occur when a member of the school population acquires a condition or falls ill.