Tapeworm and Occupational Hazards!

[Grapefruityogi]

Today in the playground were discussing the hazards of becoming a teacher (primary)... including repeated bouts of nits, slapped cheek disease and tapeworm!!! Tapeworm sounds the worst :s
Is this normal for teachers to catch these from children, or have the teachers i am working with just been unlucky ?!

I can’t imagine your colleague is talking about tapeworms. More likely they mean threadworms, tiny white bits of thread that wiggle in your poo if you are able to spot them. The females lay eggs around the ants at night leaving an itchy residue. Most people who have them don’t have symptoms though so it’s not easy to tell. They don’t pose any risk to health but the itching is annoying.

They spread commonly in schools. The eggs are microscopic and you can even inhale them. I’ve had them four times as an EY teacher which is why my nails are so short.

*anus, not ants

Have dealt with ringworm in school (you have to keep pregnant staff away), never tape or thread worm!

Hand foot and mouth is my least favourite as an adult. It is grim.

19 years in primary and haven't caught anything other than standard cold etc.

I've had nits, threadworm and loads of colds etc.

Nothing in the last 12 months though!

In over 30 years I've had nits, lice, ringworm, scabies, threadworms, impetigo, hand foot and mouth and all the bugs they can throw at me. Nothing for a few years though - maybe my immune system has finally toughened up 😂

I've taught mainly LKS2 but have taught a mixed infant class as well and have only ever caught colds. Teaching about 10 years.

We had a hepatitis outbreak at my school a few years ago! Everyone had to be vaccinated.