February 8, 2024 

Dear Parent or Guardian, 

This letter is to notify you that there are a few cases of strep throat in the building. Most sore throats are caused by viruses as seen with colds and seasonal allergies. Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection that if untreated may lead to scarlet fever, rheumatic fever and kidney disease. 

Symptoms usually begin two to four days after contact. Although you can’t always tell by looking, there is a somewhat characteristic appearance to strep throat. You can suspect strep if the tonsils are: (1) beefy red, (2) the uvula is red and swollen (the fleshy part at the back of the throat that hangs down like a raindrop), and (3) there are big lymph nodes in the neck and under the chin. The child may also talk as if he or she has a hot potato in the back of the throat. 

The only certain way to diagnose strep throat is with a throat culture. It is best to contact your pediatrician if your child has a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, swollen glands, headache and abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting can occur with severe cases. If your child does not appear well or develops any of these symptoms, keep him/her home and see your doctor. 

If it is confirmed that it is strep throat your physician will order antibiotics. It is important to finish the entire course of medication, even if your child feels fine. This will help ensure that the medication has time to kill all the attacking organisms down to the very last “bug”. Remember to change the toothbrush after this and other illness. 

Students with strep throat need to remain home until they have completed a full twenty-four hours of antibiotics. They must also be free of a fever for twenty-four hours off of fever reducing medication such as ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen. 

A link of information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is included below to help answer any questions you may have about Strep Throat. 

http://www.cdc.gov/features/strepthroat 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your school nurse. Thank you. 

Khalilah Williams RN 

202-832-7370 x2004