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Schools
Pinellas schools caution parents about illnesses
By JOSE CARDENAS
Published October 8, 2005
On the advice of the Pinellas County Health Department, school officials have sent a letter to parents of all students in the school district warning of a spike in diarrhea, stomachaches and other intestinal illnesses.
The letter, issued earlier this week, urges that all family members wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating and advises sick students to stay home to prevent illnesses from spreading.
The letter also urges families to keep food at appropriate temperatures and recommends people go to the doctor if they remain sick longer than 48 hours.
"The reason we want to be in contact with the parents is to help them remember that most cases can be prevented by good hand-washing techniques," said Jeannine Mallory, a county health department spokeswoman. She said the letters are a precautionary measure.
Mallory said county epidemiologists are working to find out if there is a common source for the illnesses.
Spikes in such illnesses happen a couple of times a year, often at the beginning of the school year. Since diarrhea is very contagious, children who are sick at school can easily spread it to others, said Mallory.
Marcia Izzo, a school district nurse coordinator, said there are no exact figures on the number of cases or which schools have been affected.
She said anecdotal reports have come in from individual schools, citing an increased number of absences and students being sent home because of stomach problems.
At Skycrest Elementary School in Clearwater, for instance, three students were sent home sick, and one was absent for 15 school days because of stomach problems, said Mary Smyth, a front-office clerk.
Simultaneously, health providers around the county also have been reporting to the health department an increased number of children with stomach illnesses.
"It seems to be throughout the county," Izzo said.
[Last modified October 8, 2005, 01:25:11]
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