I found out I have pink eye and strep throat last Tuesday. I'm a teacher. When am I safe to be around kids?

Question

I'm bored and worried about my students...I've been off three days. Still feeling crappy but if I'm not contageous...oh well....
Should I go to work or not...I have to make a decision soon.

Answer 1

Bacterial or viral conjunctivitis is amazingly contagious, passing from hand to hand, and brought to an uninfected eye by a single absent-minded touch. It has to be completely cleared up before you're safe.
Strep Throat should be cleared in one week.

Answer 2

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RE:
I found out I have pink eye and strep throat last Tuesday. I'm a teacher. When am I safe to be around kids?
I'm bored and worried about my students...I've been off three days. Still feeling crappy but if I'm not contageous...oh well....
Should I go to work or not...I have to make a decision soon.

Answer 3

You shouldn't take a chance with the children. You should wait until everything is cleared up. I wouldn't be too happy if my child's teacher had strep & pink eye and still attended school. Just stay out until you get better. Have a colleague check in on your class every once in a while, if possible. If you class room has a phone, call in and make sure everything's going okay. Get better soon!

Answer 4

Pink eye is VERY contagious and chances are you actually got it from one of your students. No, you may not return to work. Actually your doctor is suppose to "release" you to go back to work, I believe pink eye requires a follow up visit after seven to ten days to make sure it is gone, as sometimes it needs a second treatment.
You should have notified your supervisor of your pink eye also, so that she could send home with the children a notice of pink eye in the classroom as well as other classrooms are suppose to know of the contagious condition so that parents can accurately diagnose any problems with their children before it becomes too serious having gone untreated.
In california, it is mandatory, this all be done in this manner.
Now, you will also know what to look for in the students, as it is also the teachers place to notice that a student is having a problem in other than achedemics. If they have any symptoms you have experienced, in the future you can notify the school nurse and or the parent and prevent further outbreak.

See your doctor regarding a release to return and call your school to advise them of your pink eye, okay?

Answer 5

Strep after 48 hours of antibiotics is not contagious, pink eye on the other hand if the eye is oozing you are still contagious. Work on your student planner while your off. Or if you have a computer in your room IM the kids and talk on line.

Answer 6

Are teachers ever safe around children? Jokes aside it is only whenthe pink eye is totally cleared and the troat infection is cleared up as well. Wash your hands regularly to prevent further spread

Answer 7

You need to be on antibiotic for at least 48 hours. If you go to school with this the nurse should send you home pink eye is very contagious.

Answer 8

I've had both, and so has my daughter. Dr told us that as soon as you start on the medication for both, you are no longer considered contagious. Just make sure you are washing your hands alot and not touching things that the students are touching. Get your Dr's advise though first.

Answer 9

as a teacher you should know better, both strep and pink eye are highly contagious. before heading back to school to infect your class see a doctor to see if you are cured. how selfish of you to want to go back to children when you could still be sick. good thing my child isnt in the school where you teach.

Answer 10

That's a good question!