Even though strep throat can affect anyone, it is extremely common among school-age children and teenagers; 5 through 15 years old. This common and highly contagious infection occurs very often during the school year when large groups of students are in close contact with each other in classrooms.
Caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat often leads to agonizing throat pain that is associated with difficult and painful swallowing or even speaking. High fever is very likely, and it tends to get worse a few days into the illness rather than improve.
PROTECT YOUR CHILD AND OTHERS!
While there is no vaccine against strep throat, there is a lot you can do to protect your child from this contagious and common school-age ailment:
- Teach your child about proper handwashing. Hand washing is fundamental for preventing the spread of germs everywhere, including classrooms. Teach your child to wash his hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with clean, running water and soap. After rinsing his hands under the running water, he can dry it with paper towel or an air dryer. If no running water is available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used instead.
- Teach your child about covering his face on coughing or sneezing. It is crucial for your child's health -and others- to learn to hide his cough or sneeze. Make sure you teach him to use a tissue to cover his face. If no tissue is handy, he may use his sleeve (but not his hands!) to cover his face.
- Teach your child not to share his personal items. If you want to decrease your child's propensity for infection, one right way is to teach him to keep his things personal. Items such as earphones, musical instruments, towels, sporting gear, and of course, water bottles should not be shared among classmates to minimize the risks of infection spread.
Ears Nose and Throat
THE DUBAI LONDON CLINIC AND SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
Locations:
Dubai London Clinic and Speciality Hospital, Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai
Dubai London Clinic (Dubai Festival City)
Dubai London Clinic (Al Thanya Centre)
Dubai London Clinic (Spinneys Villa Centro Community Mall)
Dubai London Dental Clinic ( Al Wasl)
Telephone No: 800-DLC / 800-352
Website: www.dubailondonclinic.com