1. Germs in the classroom
By tonya welch

2. Types of illness you may see in the classroom
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Coxsackievirus (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease)
Head Lice
Impetigo (Bacterial Skin Infections)
Influenza (Flu)
Measles
Menigitis
Mononucleosis (Mono)
Norovirus (Stomach bug)
Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

3. Types of illness continued
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Rhinovirus (Common Cold)
Rotavirus (Diarrhea)
Strep Throat
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Clostridium difficile (C-Diff)

4. Community Organisms
Most of the illnesses listed are considered community illnesses meaning that you can come across them anywhere in the community. MRSA and C-diff were once considered nosocomial infections that occurred mainly in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Unfortunately, due to improper use of antibiotics we have seen these illnesses begin to crop up in community settings.
It is important to be aware of the types of illnesses in the community to be able to recognize signs that these illnesses may have made it into your classroom.

5. Recognizing Symptoms Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
The whites of one or both eyes are pink
There could be a discharge
Bacterial pink eye is more contagious than viral
Contagious if there is discharge
Must be treated by prescription
Can last a few days or weeks

6. Recognizing Symptoms Coxsackievirus (Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease)
Rash that can be found on hands, feet and inside or outside the mouth
No treatment
The virus lives in saliva
Usually doesn’t last more than a week

7. Recognizing Symptoms Head Lice Can happen to anyone
Lice can travel on backpacks, sleeping bags, pillows, combs and brushes
Avoid head to head contact
Eggs (nits) are hardest to get rid of and look like dandruff
Many treatments available

8. Recognizing Symptoms Impetigo (Skin infections)
Caused by strep or staph bacteria
Puss filled blisters and open sores that crust over
Very contagious
Must have an open cut or sore to get infected
Avoid direct contact
Make sure the wound is covered

9. Recognizing Symptoms Influenza (Flu)
Best protection is the flu vaccine
Cough, fever, body aches, chills, sneezing
Isolate students suspected of illness
Clean and disinfect surfaces

10. Recognizing Symptoms Measles MMR vaccine is key
2 vaccines (1 at age months and 1 at school age)
Unvaccinated students could be an issue
High fever, runny nose, cough and congunctivitus
Symptoms appear 7-14 days after exposure

11. Recognizing Symptoms Menigitis
Brain and spinal cord membrane infection bacterial or viral
Meningococcal vaccine given at years and a booster at 16
Headache, sensitivity to light, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness and poor appetite
Spread by coughing and sneezing

12. Recognizing Symptoms Mononucleosis (Kissing disease)
Transmitted by contact with contaminated saliva
Most common in ages 15-17
Fever, swollen glands, sore throat and fatigue
Caution against sharing food, drink, utensils etc.
Must be treated by a physician

13. Recognizing Symptoms Norovirus Spread through feces
Causes vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps
Wash hands frequently to prevent
Can be spread through swimming pool water
Large crowded spaces help the disease to spread
Hydrate

14. Recognizing Symptoms Rhinovirus (Common Cold) Can only treat symptoms
Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache
Isolate students suspected of having the virus if possible
Have students wash hands or use hand sanitizer
Clean surfaces frequently

15. Recognizing Symptoms Strep Throat
Severe throat pain, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting
Spread by contact with contaminated saliva
Must treat with antibiotics

16. Recognizing Symptoms MRSA
Staph bacteria enter the body through open cuts, scrapes and other sores
Resistant to most antibiotics
Wounds can be slow to heal
Some people are carriers of the bacteria and can spread it even if their skin looks normal

17. Recognizing Symptoms C-diff
Watery diarrhea times per day, abdominal cramping, blood in stool, fever, nausea, dehydration, loss of appetite
Can occur after antibiotic therapy
Bacteria can live for weeks or even months on surfaces
Antibiotics sometimes destroy good bacteria which in turn can cause some bad bacteria to flourish
Can be resistant to some treatments

18. School policy Do you know your school’s policy on infectious disease?
What steps do you need to take to protect yourself and your students?
When is it appropriate to contact a parent?
Is there a school nurse that handles these issues?

19. Prevention Hand Washing Hand Sanitizer Must have soap and warm water
Must rub hands vigorously
Sing “Happy Birthday” song in your head two times while washing
Only use when hand washing is not an option
Does not kill all germs
Must use at least a dime size
Must rub in and allow to dry
Overuse can lead to resistant organisms

20. Is there such a thing as too clean?
Yes! Believe it or not, there is such a thing as too clean. Many bacteria and germs that the body comes into contact with on a daily basis are not bad for you. They actually help the body to process coming into contact with the ones that are. Cleaning too much reduces the numbers of good bacteria with the bad.

21. takeaways
There are many common viruses that we come into contact with on a daily basis
The viruses and bacteria do not always make us sick
Recognize signs and symptoms
Know your school’s policy on infectious disease and how to handle sick children
Wipe down commonly used items on a daily basis
Educate your students on proper hand washing
Remind students not to share items that could be carrying germs