Transcript presentation template for schools

STOP SORE
THROATS
HURTING
HEARTS
Rheumatic Fever
• is a serious illness caused by a sore throat (strep
throat)
• is an inflammatory disease that causes the brain and
joints to become inflamed and swollen
• can make children very sick and cause heart damage
• may mean a lifetime of feeling breathless and tired
• can be easily prevented by making sure every sore
throat gets checked and treated straight away
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STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
Rheumatic Fever
• New Zealand still has high rates
of rheumatic fever
• In [name of region] [X] cases
[relevant local info]
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STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
Who is most at-risk?
• Māori and Pacific families
• Aged 4 - 19
• Families who have had rheumatic fever
• Families who live in houses with lots of people
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STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
How does rheumatic fever
affect the body?
Acute rheumatic fever
affects 3 organ systems
Brain
Heart
Joints (arthritis)
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Symptoms of rheumatic fever
• Sore and swollen joints (knees, elbows, ankles and
wrists)
• An on-going fever that lasts a few days
• They may also have stomach pains, extreme tiredness
and unusual rash on their body
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STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
Reducing the risk for your
school is easy
• Ask your students if they have sore
throats – build checks into your
schools’ daily routine
• Some schools have a throat swabbing
clinic – refer children with sore throats
• No clinic? Let the family know they
need to get a doctor or nurse to check
their child’s sore throat straight away
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STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
What happens next?
A quick throat swab
Child needs to take the
full 10-day
course of antibiotics
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Reducing the risk to your
school community
• Good hand washing and drying
• Covering mouths when coughing and
sneezing
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
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Resources to help your school
• Family guide booklet
• Visual aid – shows the
steps of rheumatic fever
• Inserts for school
newsletters
Download from
hpa.org.nz/rheumatic fever
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
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More information
• Ask your doctor or nurse for more information about
sore throats and rheumatic fever
• Visit hpa.org.nz/rheumatic fever
• Call Healthline 0800 611 116
STOP SORE THROATS HURTING HEARTS
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