Back-to-school season is an exciting time for students, as they get to see their friends again, return to the classroom, and get involved in sports. However, spending more time around classmates can also mean greater exposure to germs, while busy playgrounds and athletic activities can increase the risk of minor injuries.
Students share classrooms, supplies, lunch spaces, and other common areas throughout the day, creating more opportunities for illnesses to spread. Meanwhile, a simple fall on the playground or injury during practice can leave a student with a cut, sprain, or other orthopedic concern.
As you prepare your child for the new school year, it is also a good time to review healthy habits. Regular handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help reduce the spread of germs.
At AFC Urgent Care Cedar Hills, our medical providers treat a wide range of common illnesses and minor injuries that can impact students during the school year. Here are four common health concerns to watch for, along with signs that it may be time to visit your local AFC Urgent Care in Cedar Hills.
1: Could Your Student Have Strep Throat?
Not every sore throat is cause for concern, but one that appears suddenly and becomes increasingly painful could be a sign of strep throat. This contagious bacterial infection affects the throat and tonsils and is caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Common strep throat symptoms may include:
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes
- Fever that may develop suddenly, sometimes with chills or body aches
- White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils in more severe cases
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, known as petechiae
If your student develops a sudden sore throat without nasal congestion or is experiencing several of these symptoms, visit AFC Urgent Care Cedar Hills for an evaluation. Our medical team can perform a rapid strep test, with results available in just minutes. During the test, a provider gently swabs the back of the throat and tonsils to collect a sample.
If the rapid strep test is positive, antibiotics may be prescribed to help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Of course, strep is not responsible for every sore throat. Viral illnesses, including the common cold, flu, and viral pharyngitis, can also cause throat pain. Coughing, a runny nose, and hoarseness are generally more commonly associated with viral infections than strep throat.
2: Playground Falls, Sports Injuries, and Other Concerns
A new school year often means more time spent on playgrounds, sports fields, and participating in new physical activities. These activities can occasionally lead to minor injuries and orthopedic concerns.
Cuts and Lacerations
A fall, collision, or other accident can result in a wound that needs more than a bandage. At AFC Urgent Care Cedar Hills, our providers can evaluate your student’s cut or laceration and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may include:
- Stitches
- Tissue adhesive
- Protective dressings
- Staples
For qualifying wounds, AFC Urgent Care Cedar Hills can provide staple closure, offering families a convenient option for injury care without the long waits and higher costs that may come with an emergency room visit.
Sprains, Falls, and Minor Orthopedic Injuries
A playground fall or sports-related injury can leave your student with swelling, pain, or difficulty moving the affected area. Our medical providers can evaluate many minor orthopedic concerns and provide stabilization, bracing, and symptom relief when appropriate.
Common orthopedic concerns we can evaluate include, but are not limited to:
- Ankle sprains
- Fractured wrists
- Elbow injuries
- Knee pain
- Stress fractures
When recommended by your medical provider, your student could also receive an X-ray using our on-site X-ray machine and lab.
“Backpack-itis”
While “backpack-itis” is not an official medical diagnosis, the term is used to describe head, neck, or shoulder discomfort associated with carrying an overly heavy backpack. A backpack that weighs too much can also lead to poor posture.
To help reduce this type of discomfort, try to keep your student’s backpack at no more than 10% of their body weight. Choosing a backpack with wide, padded straps and encouraging your child to wear both straps, rather than carrying the bag over one shoulder, may also help reduce unnecessary strain.
3: The Stomach Flu
Despite its name, the stomach flu is not the same as influenza. Influenza affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs. Viral gastroenteritis, often referred to as the stomach flu, affects the digestive tract and intestines instead.
The stomach flu can spread through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. Uncomfortable symptoms may include:
- Frequent, watery diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal cramps or stomach pain
- Mild headaches or muscle aches
- A low-grade fever
There is no specific treatment for the stomach flu, which makes prevention and good hygiene especially important. Frequent handwashing can help reduce the spread of germs at both school and home. According to the Mayo Clinic, your student may need medical attention if stomach flu symptoms are accompanied by:
- A fever of 102°F or higher
- Bloody diarrhea
- Signs of dehydration
- Significant pain or discomfort
- Unusual tiredness or irritability
4: When Red Eyes Could Be Pink Eye
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is another condition that can spread easily in a school environment. It may cause redness and swelling of the eye, along with blurry vision, light sensitivity, itching, pain, or the feeling that something is stuck in the eye. There are several forms of pink eye, including viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. Allergies can also cause symptoms that may feel similar.
According to the National Eye Institute, pink eye is one of the most common eye problems affecting both children and adults. Schools can create an environment where the condition spreads easily, particularly when students touch their eyes without first washing their hands. Direct contact and shared personal items, such as towels and glasses, may also contribute to transmission.
Viral pink eye is the most common form and often improves without medication within one to two weeks, although symptoms may sometimes last longer. Bacterial pink eye, on the other hand, may require prescription eye drops.
A visit to AFC Urgent Care Cedar Hills can help determine what may be causing your student’s eye symptoms and whether treatment is necessary. If symptoms worsen quickly or your student develops thick discharge from the eyes, it may be time to seek medical attention.
Keep Your Student Healthy and Active This School Year
The school year should be a time for learning, friendships, and activities. Although you cannot prevent every illness or playground accident for your family, understanding the symptoms of common conditions can make it easier to know when your student may need medical care.
From sore throats and pink eye to stomach flu symptoms, cuts, sprains, and other minor orthopedic injuries, AFC Urgent Care Cedar Hills is open 7 days a week with extended hours, offering quality care.