Platt Bridge Community School

The link includes all the latest advice and should be adequate to provide the information which may be requested from staff and parents

For GOV.UK Guidance: Click Here

What is Group A Strep (GAS)?

GAS is a common bacteria which causes a range of infections including scarlet fever. These infections are usually mild.

What is Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS)
In rare occasions, this can cause a rare, more serious infection called Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS). This occurs when the GAS bacteria gets into parts of the body where it causes serious disease, like in the lungs or bloodstream.

What should parents look out for?
It’s always concerning when a child is unwell. GAS infections cause various symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills and muscle aches.

It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold, these are not symptoms of GAS. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes, unless further symptoms develop associated with GAS or iGAS, when you should seek medical attention.

You can still send your child to school if they have a sore throat. But if they also have a high temperature, they should stay at home until it goes away, unless further symptoms develop associated with GAS or iGAS, when you should seek medical attention.

A sore throat and a high temperature can be symptoms of tonsillitis.

When should I keep my child off school?
As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.

A high temperature or fever - you should keep them off school until it goes away.

Impetigo - They will need treatment from a GP and kept off school until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment.

Scarlet Fever - If your child has scarlet fever, they'll need treatment with antibiotics from a GP. Otherwise, they'll be infectious for 2 to 3 weeks. Your child can go back to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

Vomiting and diarrhoea - Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school for 2 days after their symptoms have gone.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
● Your child is getting worse
● Your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
● Your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
● Your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
● Your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
● Your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:
● Your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
● There are pauses when your child breathes
● Your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
● Your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

There is no specific guidance for close contacts other than monitoring their own health for any of the above
symptoms and seeking medical advice through 111 or their GP if required.

Prevention
It is vital that you monitor the health of your child and do not send them into school if they have any of the
symptoms of GAS or iGAS and take the following actions to prevent transmission:

● Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
● Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
● Wash your hands as soon as you get home
● Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
● Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
● Cover open cuts or lesions with plasters or dressings

This letter is being sent as a precaution, and to make sure you have the information available from Government
agencies. We will continue to monitor the latest guidance and update you as appropriate.

Yours sincerely

Carly Bozdoğan,
Head of School