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Source: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/skokie/news/1248230,sk-d68disease-103008-s1.article
Contagious minor disease reported at District 68 Early Education Center
October 30, 2008
By MIKE ISAACS misaacs@pioneerlocal.com
Skokie School District 68's Early Education Center sent parents a letter last week informing them of a reported case of hand, foot and mouth disease at the school.
"This is a viral disease characterized by a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, grayish sores in the mouth, that may also be on the gums and the sides of the tongue," the letter said. It added that sores can last seven to 10 days and can also occur on the palms of the hands, fingers, soles of the feet and occasionally on the buttocks.
The disease, which is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges and feces of infected people, is usually minor and "self-limiting," the letter noted, although there have rare cases in infants that have been fatal.
The district letter included preventative measures such as "good hand-washing" and other hygienic standards in the home and in the school. But parents were encouraged to consult a health care provider if any family members show symptoms of the disease.
"There is no specific treatment," the letter stated. "A person is considered contagious during the first stages of illness and could pass the virus in their stool for several weeks."
Skokie School District 68 Superintendent Frances McTague said sending parents such a letter is standard procedure for the district when such an incident occurs.
"Whenever we have a case of a common childhood communicable disease at the schools, such as chicken pox, measles, strep throat...our school nurses send a letter home per district procedures," she said. "Our district follows recommended protocols from the Department of Public Health for excluding children from school with communicable diseases until they are fever free for 24 hours, on antibiotics for 24 hours, and/or have a release from the child's pediatrician."
McTague said that in addition to some cases at the pre-school, there have been a few reported cases at Highland School where students have contracted the disease from siblings.
The Mayo Clinic describes hand-foot-and-mouth disease as a mild, but highly contagious viral infection common in young children.
Contagious minor disease reported at District 68 Early Education Center
October 30, 2008
By MIKE ISAACS misaacs@pioneerlocal.com
Skokie School District 68's Early Education Center sent parents a letter last week informing them of a reported case of hand, foot and mouth disease at the school.
"This is a viral disease characterized by a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, grayish sores in the mouth, that may also be on the gums and the sides of the tongue," the letter said. It added that sores can last seven to 10 days and can also occur on the palms of the hands, fingers, soles of the feet and occasionally on the buttocks.
The disease, which is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges and feces of infected people, is usually minor and "self-limiting," the letter noted, although there have rare cases in infants that have been fatal.
The district letter included preventative measures such as "good hand-washing" and other hygienic standards in the home and in the school. But parents were encouraged to consult a health care provider if any family members show symptoms of the disease.
"There is no specific treatment," the letter stated. "A person is considered contagious during the first stages of illness and could pass the virus in their stool for several weeks."
Skokie School District 68 Superintendent Frances McTague said sending parents such a letter is standard procedure for the district when such an incident occurs.
"Whenever we have a case of a common childhood communicable disease at the schools, such as chicken pox, measles, strep throat...our school nurses send a letter home per district procedures," she said. "Our district follows recommended protocols from the Department of Public Health for excluding children from school with communicable diseases until they are fever free for 24 hours, on antibiotics for 24 hours, and/or have a release from the child's pediatrician."
McTague said that in addition to some cases at the pre-school, there have been a few reported cases at Highland School where students have contracted the disease from siblings.
The Mayo Clinic describes hand-foot-and-mouth disease as a mild, but highly contagious viral infection common in young children.