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| January 17 | |
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Strep Throat |
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Strep throat is caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus, which, if left untreated, can lead to abscesses in the tonsils and throat, and in some cases, cause arthritis, heart problems, and kidney problems. School aged children are most likely to get strep throat, because its spread by close contact with infected people who cough or sneeze, sending the bacteria into the air. In strep throat, the throat is red, sore, sometimes with white patches on the tonsils - but not always. There are usually swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever generally greater than 101 degrees, and, in some cases, headache. Some children may also get a rash over the upper or entire body; that’s called scarlet fever, and the treatment is the same as for strep throat. If there’s hoarseness, diarrhea, or a runny nose associated with the sore throat, it’s probably not strep. If you or your child have fever and a sore throat, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor. He or she can do a test in the office to determine if it’s really strep. In the past years we’ve seen a rise in bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics because too many antibiotics have been used unnecessarily. Testing for strep and treating only if the test is positive, or if there is a high suspicion that it’s strep, can help avoid the resistance problem. A person is no longer contagious about 24 to 48 hours after they start treatment, so it’s okay to send your child back to school at that time if they are feeling better. Two other reasons to seek medical attention - if you or your child have trouble taking in fluids, or trouble with breathing. |
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Resources:
Sore Throat: Group A Strep (for parents)
Making sense of strep throat (for teens)
Group A Streptococcal Infections |
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