Impetigo - School Sores and Chicken pox
Impetigo - School Sores and Chickenpox are out and about in our community.
Whenever the school receives advice that selected illnesses have been identified we advise our school community. We currently have had notice that that Impetigo and Chicken pox have been identified within the school.
Impetigo also known as school sores, causes blisters on exposed parts of body, such as hands, legs and face. The blisters burst and turn into a sore with a yellow crust that gets bigger each day.
The sores are itchy.
The sores spread easily to other parts of the skin. Impetigo is easily spread to other children and adults if they touch the sores.
What to do:
- Go to the doctor.
- Check and clean every day.
- Gently wash the sores with warm water and a soft cloth. Wash the sores until the crust comes off and wash away the pus and blood.
- Check other children for Impetigo. Use any cream from the doctor on the sores.
- Cover sores with a cloth or plaster to help stop the infection from spreading.
- Keep your child’s nails short and clean.
- Wash your hands before and after touching the skin or sores.
- Make sure your child washes their hands often, especially if they touch the sores.
What to do if Impetigo gets worse
You need to go back to the doctor if any of these things happen:
- sores last more than a week
- sores become red or swollen
- sores have pus in them
- your child has a fever.
The infection may have spread to other parts of the body or blood. Your child may need blood tests and antibiotics.
It is important to take the antibiotics every day until they are finished, even if the Impetigo seems to have cleared up earlier. The antibiotics need to keep killing the infection in the body after the skin has healed.
Time off from Kura or School:
One day after antibiotic treatment has started, or check with your doctor.
Chicken Pox
What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella virus or varicella zoster virus. It is the same virus that can cause shingles, which usually occurs later in life.
Who is at risk of getting chickenpox?
Children are at risk of getting chickenpox if they have never had chickenpox and haven't had chickenpox immunisation.
Chickenpox is more common in children between the ages of 2 and 10 years. If one child in your household gets it, it is almost certain that any others who have never had chickenpox will also get it.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
Early symptoms
Chickenpox can often start with the following symptoms:
a fever
a headache
a runny nose
a cough
loss of appetite
feeling tired
How does chickenpox spread?
Chickenpox spreads very easily and is very easy to catch.
The chickenpox virus spreads through the air (by coughing and sneezing) and by direct contact with mucus, saliva, or liquid from blisters. Your child can catch the chickenpox virus from touching clothing or other objects that have the blister liquid on them.
The incubation period is the time from when your child comes into contact with a person with chickenpox, to getting the first symptoms. The incubation period for chickenpox can range from 10 to 21 days.
Your child is infectious from 2 days before they get the rash until all the blisters have dried up - this usually takes 5 to 7 days.
Should my child with chickenpox stay home?
Children should stay away from daycare or school, and public places, while they are infectious. Your child is infectious until scabs form on all the spots. Your child can go back to school when the spots are all scabbed over and dry. This can take around 5 to 7 days.