Impetigo

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Impetigo

• A School Health Perspective

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What is Impetigo?

• Impetigo is a common skin infection caused by
  streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria.

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www.lib.uiowa.edu/.../md/dermnet/
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www.lib.uiowa.edu/.../md/dermnet/
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www.lib.uiowa.edu/.../md/dermnet/
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www.impetigodoctor.com
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www.clinical-virology.org
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www.lib.uiowa.edu/.../md/dermnet/
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What are the signs and symptoms?

• Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but
  commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands,
  and forearms.
• When impetigo is caused by group A streptococcus,
  it begins as tiny blisters. These blisters
  eventually burst and leave small wet patches of
  red skin that may weep fluid. Gradually, a tan or
  yellowish-brown crust covers the affected area,
  making it look like it has been coated with honey
  or brown sugar.
• Impetigo that is caused by staphylococcus aureus
  triggers larger fluid-containing blisters that
  appear clear, then cloudy. These blisters are
  more likely to stay intact longer on the skin
  without bursting.

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What are the incubation and contagious periods?

• Impetigo may itch and can be spread by
  scratching. Kids can spread the infection by
  scratching it and then touching other parts of
  the body.
• The incubation period is 7 to 10 days after
  bacteria attach to the skin.
• Impetigo is contagious until the skin sores are
  treated for at least 24 hours or the crusting
  lesions are no longer present.

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How is it spread?

• It can spread to anyone who comes into contact
  with infected skin or other items, such as
  clothing, towels, and bed linens, that have been
  touched by infected skin.
• The bacteria enters an opening on skin (cut,
  insect bite, burn) and causes oozing, leading to
  honey-colored crusted sores.
• Occurs year-round, but most common in warm
  weather in cut/scraped skin or cold weather due
  to irritated skin from nose wiping.

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How can I control it?

• Exclusion of infected individuals for 24 hours
  after antibiotic treatment.
• Altabax is a new drug approved on April 12, 2007
  by the FDA to treat all those 9 months and older.
• Hand washing.
• Clip fingernails to reduce further tissue damage
  from scraping.
• Contact local health department for outbreak
  (more than one child).

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What are the roles of the teacher and family?

• Report infections to staff in charge of decision
  making.
• Practice good hand washing and hygiene.
• Teach children to wash their hands at appropriate
  times.
• Clean and sanitize all surfaces often.
• Cover infected areas with loose dressing and
  avoid contact with others in group settings.
• Wash hands when coming in contact with sores or
  bandages.
• Wash contaminated bandages daily.

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Exclude from group settings?

• Yes.
• If family is unable to pick up child immediately,
  wash affected area with soap and water and cover
  it with dry, sterile, loose dressing.

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Readmit to Group Setting?

• Twenty-four hours after beginning medication.
• When the child is able to participate and staff
  determine they can care for the child.

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Impetigo in Louisiana

• No results found at the DHHS site

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Impetigo in Ouachita Parish

• Using the following search terms in various
  search engines, as well as the ULM databases, no
  results were found to provide clarification about
  rates of impetigo in Louisiana and/or Ouachita
  Parish louisiana, impetigo, rates, outbreaks