Page 11 - Indoor Air Quality 3Roda

STREP THROAT

Strep throat, most often caused by the Streptococcus According to the conventional wisdom, Streptococcus
pyogenes bacteria, is more common among children pyogenes don’t linger on surfaces, but newer research
than adults and typically strikes kids ages 5 to 15. suggests these bacteria persist longer than previously
No wonder it’s called “an occupational disease of thought — and schools may need to take extra
schoolchildren.” 67 precautions.

Whereas viral sore throats are accompanied by Strep bacteria form hardy “biofilms” when colonizing
a runny nose, strep strikes suddenly and painfully. human tissue, according to researchers at the
Infected students may also develop a fever, State University of New York at Buffalo School of
headache, stomachache, pain with swallowing, or red Medicine. In a study conducted at a daycare center,
spots on the roof of the mouth. cribs and soft toys tested positive for Streptococcus
pyogenes first thing in the morning, several hours
since the last human contact. 69

Strep is responsible for “Bacterial colonization doesn’t, by itself, cause

about 30% of sore throats infection but it’s a necessary first step if an infection
in kids, and it’s highly is going to become established in a human host,”
explained senior author Anders Hakansson, Ph.D.,
contagious, often spreading noting that children are especially vulnerable to

via airborne droplets. strep infections. Hakansson said his findings,
70
“should make us more cautious about bacteria in the
environment” and that commonly handled objects
may act as reservoirs of bacteria for hours, weeks or
Strep is responsible for about 30% of sore throats months, potentially transmitting infection to anyone
in kids, and it’s highly contagious, often spreading via who comes in contact with them.
airborne droplets from a cough or sneeze.
68

Improving School Air Quality:

A Proactive Approach

Schools spend a great deal of time and money response. However, prevention tends to be much
reacting to crises fueled by pathogens and pollutants. less expensive than crisis intervention.
When mould infested Holly Glen Elementary in
Williamstown, New Jersey, after a wet, hot summer, A proactive approach to indoor air quality can
the school closed for more than a year , and its help schools maximize student health and
71
500 students and teachers were, quite reluctantly, attendance, keeping closures and remediation
dispersed to three different schools across town. costs to a minimum.

When influenza struck the Gunter Independent Following are important steps schools can take to
School District in Texas and absenteeism hit 25%, keep contaminants at bay.
the district was forced to close all its campuses for
a week and pay experts to sanitize “every Lego and Stay current with
Potato Head” in kindergarten classrooms. building maintenance
72

To be sure, outbreaks like these demand an all-out As the EPA describes, deferring

©2020 Novaerus 11