It’s easy to understand why school, sickness, and injuries go hand in hand. Students spend hours together, sharing common spaces, school supplies, and lunchtime. Developing immune systems can make younger children even more susceptible to germs, while playground activities and sports can lead to minor injuries.
When these factors combine, the start of the school year can quickly descend into chaos as germs spread from student to student. As you prepare for the fall semester at one of the 12 elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Camas School District, remind your student that the most important step they can take to protect themselves from germs is to wash their hands, as explained in depth by the Washington State Department of Health.
Our medical providers at AFC Urgent Care Camas treat several illnesses and orthopedic concerns that commonly strike as the school year begins. In this blog, we will walk through 4 of those illnesses and injuries, what symptoms to watch for, and which can be treated by urgent care.
When your student faces an illness or minor injury this fall, visit your local AFC Urgent Care in Camas for prompt evaluation and quality care.
1: Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils, causing a sore, scratchy throat and swollen tonsils. The bacteria, Group A Streptococcus, are highly contagious and most commonly spread when you come into contact with respiratory droplets from an infected individual or direct contact with a surface they touched.
Common strep throat symptoms are:
- Pain When Swallowing
- Red and Swollen Tonsils
- Swollen and Tender Lymph Nodes
- Fever (including a sudden onset of fever, which may include chills and body aches)
- White Patches or Streaks of Pus on the Tonsils (in extreme cases)
- Tiny, Red Spots on the Roof of the Mouth (called Petechiae; the small red spots may develop, particularly toward the back of the mouth)
If your student has a sore throat (and no sign of nasal congestion) or any of the above-listed symptoms that appear suddenly, walk in or schedule an appointment at your local AFC Urgent Care clinic in Camas. We offer a rapid strep test with results in minutes. The test is quick; a swab is gently rubbed against the back of the throat and tonsils to collect a sample of throat secretions.
If the rapid strep test is positive, antibiotics can start right away and reduce symptoms and prevent complications.
However, it is important to note that a sore throat does not always mean strep throat. Many viral infections cause a sore throat, including viral pharyngitis, the common cold, and flu. Other symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and hoarseness are typically uncommon in strep throat and are more indicative of viral infections, which the medical provider team at AFC Urgent Care Camas will discuss upon evaluating your student.
2: Minor Injuries & Orthopedic Concerns
Minor playground and sports injuries can occur anytime during the school year, but are highly common at the start. Students get excited to reunite with friends and try new playgrounds and sports activities, increasing the likelihood of minor injuries and orthopedic concerns.
Cuts and Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations are among the easiest injuries to recognize require medical attention. Our providers carefully evaluate each wound and recommend the most effective treatment, which may include stitches, tissue adhesive, protective dressings, or staples.
Unlike many walk-in clinics, AFC Urgent Care Camas offers staple closure for qualifying wounds, providing your student with easy access to advanced injury care without the long waits and high costs often associated with emergency room visits.
Orthopedic Concerns
If your student suffers from a sports injury, a playground fall, or another orthopedic concern, our medical providers can stabilize, brace, and provide relief. We treat a variety of orthopedic concerns, including but not limited to:
- Ankle Sprain
- Fractured Wrist
- Elbow Injuries
- Knee Pain
- Stress Fractures
If needed, your student’s visit to our clinic can include an X-Ray at our on-site X-Ray machine and lab, as recommended by your medical provider.
Backpack-itis
You may not be familiar with the non-medical term “backpack-itis”. Many times, students get head, neck, and shoulder pain because their backpacks are overfilled and weigh too much. It can also lead to bad posture. If your student complains about this type of discomfort, ensure their backpack does not weigh more than 10% of their weight. A backpack with wide, padded straps and using both straps (instead of only one), can also help prevent “backpack-itis.”
3: Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis)
Although referred to as the stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis is not caused by influenza. Influenza affects the respiratory system, while the stomach flu affects the digestive tract and intestines. The stomach flu is spread through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water, and leads to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:
- Frequent, watery diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal cramps or stomach pain
- Mild muscle aches or headaches
- Low-grade fever
There is no treatment for the stomach flu, so prevention and frequent hand washing are key. However, if your student is exposed to the stomach flu at school, you should seek medical attention if they suffer from any of the following, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Fever of 102 F or higher
- Bloody diarrhea
- Dehydration (drinking plenty of fluids is important when suffering from the stomach flu)
- Seems tired, irritable, and in significant discomfort or pain
4: Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
As its name implies, pink eye, or conjunctivitis, causes swelling and redness of the eyes, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. Pink eye also causes eyes to feel itchy, painful, and like something is stuck in the eye.
Pink eye is one of the most common eye problems both children and adults face, according to the National Eye Institute. There are several types of pink eye, including viral and bacterial, and allergies can also lead to pink eye.
Pink eye is rampant in schools, as students often touch their eyes without washing their hands. That causes the quick spread of pink eye through direct contact and shared items such as glasses, towels, and makeup.
Viral pink eye, the most common type, usually gets better in 1 to 2 weeks without medicine, but can take 3 weeks or more to heal. Bacterial pink eye needs prescription eye drops.
However, a visit to AFC Urgent Care Camas can help determine which type of pink eye your student has. Two key signs that your student may need medical attention are rapidly worsening pink eye symptoms or thick discharge coming from the eyes.
Schedule Your Visit to AFC Urgent Care Today
The school year is full of exciting experiences and new friendships, but illnesses bring an abrupt halt to everything. Knowing the symptoms and causes of these 4 common back-to-school illnesses can prepare your family when they strike, so your student can get back in the classroom, ready to tackle all that awaits them throughout the school year.
Walk into your local AFC Urgent Care Camas 7-days a week, or schedule your appointment online!