Notification of Case of Pink Eye and Pinworms at LPES
Please be aware that we have been notified about a case of each of the following common childhood diseases at LPES. Please review the details below and monitor your child. More information on this and other diseases can be found in the BCCDC Guide to Common Childhood Diseases.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
| What is it? | Pink eye is an inflammation of the covering of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies or irritants (chemical or physical). |
| What are the signs and symptoms? |
Signs and symptoms of pink eye may include:
|
| How is it spread? | Pink eye caused by bacteria and viruses spreads easily through contact with the discharge from an infected child’s eye by:
coughed or sneezed. |
| Incubation period | Usually 1–3 days following contact with an infected person |
| When is the person contagious? |
If pink eye is caused by bacteria, a child who has started treatment with antibiotics will not be contagious after 24 hours. A child with pink eye caused by a virus can be contagious from before symptoms start until they end. |
| How to prevent the spread of the illness to other children |
If a child is started on antibiotics for pink eye caused by bacteria they should be excluded from school or a child care centre until at least 24 hours after starting treatment. If pink eye is caused by a virus or other irritant, the child may return to school or a child care centre after seeing their health care provider. Ensure children do not share washcloths, towels or bedding. Carefully dispose of articles (or clean, if applicable) contaminated with secretions from a child’s eye immediately after use. |
Pinworms
| What is it? | Pinworms are tiny, white worms that live in the intestines. The female worms crawl out of the anus at night and lay their eggs on nearby skin. The eggs can live for up to 2 weeks outside of the body. Pinworms can be unpleasant and uncomfortable but they do not cause disease. Pinworm infections are common, especially among school aged and preschool aged children, and children attending a child care centre. |
| What are the signs and symptoms? |
Signs and symptoms of pinworm infection may include:
|
| How is it spread? | Pinworms are spread by accidentally swallowing pinworm eggs. This can occur by:
|
| Incubation period | 1–2 months or longer from the time pinworm eggs are ingested. |
| When is the person contagious? |
As long as female worms are still present and producing eggs. |
| How to prevent the spread of the illness to other children |
A child with pinworms can go to school or a child care centre after receiving appropriate treatment (usually one dose of a prescribed oral medication). Vacuum living areas. |