Education Department



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Monday 7th November 2016

Dear Mums, Dads and Carers,

I am writing regarding a change to our policy relating to conjunctivitis (sticky eyes).

Until fairly recently, GPs prescribed antibiotics to treat conjunctivitis and our policy was that as soon as a child had started receiving this treatment they could return to nursery and nursery staff would administer the antibiotics in nursery.

Doctors are now reluctant to prescribe antibiotics for this condition, which means that families are not able to treat the condition sufficiently to prevent it being contagious to others.

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and we have a duty to (as far as possible) prevent the spread of illnesses to other children. Therefore we will now be asking families to keep their child/children at home until the symptoms have cleared.

We appreciate that this can be difficult for some families; however we hope that in the long term it reduces the incidence of conjunctivitis for everyone.

Please see overleaf for guidance on how you can manage the condition at home.

Please speak to myself or Joe (Deputy Head teacher) if you have any further questions about this.

Kind regards,

Fiona Godfrey

Head teacher

Kate Greenaway Nursery School

Public Health England Advice on conjunctivitis treatment

Conjunctivitis is redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (conjunctiva). It is very common.

Please be reassured that most children will have a mild episode, and will recover at home without needing treatment. However, you should see your G.P. if your child has;

•eye pain

•sensitivity to light (photophobia)

•disturbed vision

•intense redness in one or both of your eyes

•a newborn baby with conjunctivitis

There are several ways you can treat infective conjunctivitis at home. The advice below should help ease your symptoms.

• Use lubricant eye drops – these are available over the counter at pharmacies or they may be prescribed for you; they may help ease any soreness and stickiness in your eyes; always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Gently clean away sticky discharge from your eyelids and lashes using cotton wool soaked in warm water.

• Wash your hands regularly – this is particularly important after touching your eyes and will stop the infection spreading to others.

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