Preparing Yourself For A Long Hospital Stay

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Your Child And Strep Throat: Frequently Asked Questions

Health & Medical Blog

When your child comes to you with a sore throat, there are several possibilities for what is causing your child's symptoms and discomfort, including the common cold, flu, or seasonal allergies. There is another common cause of sore throats that you probably have heard of or even dealt with yourself: strep throat. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about your child and strep throat.

What Exactly Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is infection caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. The Streptococcus bacteria lives inside the throat and nose and is spread when a person who is infected sneezes or coughs. A person who comes into contact with the droplets that harbor the bacteria can then catch it. Your child can also catch strep throat if they share a drink or food with someone who is infected with the Streptococcus bacteria.

Viruses can also cause sore throats and symptoms that mimic strep throat. However, strep throat is only caused by a bacterial infection, and not a virus.

What Are the Symptoms of Strep Throat?

The symptoms of strep throat in your child will develop a few days after the initial infection and include:

  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Swollen tonsils
  • Painful glands in the neck
  • Headache
  • White patches on the back of throat and tonsils
  • Trouble swallowing

Some children who develop strep throat may also have a stomachache, nausea, or a rash.

How Will My Pediatrician Diagnose and Treat Strep Throat?

If your child is exhibiting the symptoms of strep throat, contact your pediatrician and schedule an appointment. Your pediatrician will ask about your child's symptoms, examine your child's tonsils and throat, and take your child's temperature. A sample from the back of the throat is also often taken with a long cotton swab.

The specimen collected by the swab will be sent for an analysis. Depending upon the type of tests your pediatrician runs, you will know if your child is positive for strep throat in a matter of minutes or it may take several hours. Because strep throat is a bacterial infection, it is often treated with antibiotics.

You can also treat your child's other symptoms, such as a headache and fever, with a pediatrician-approved over-the-counter pain reliever. Use the pain reliever according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Eating cold foods, such as ice cream or a popsicle, can also help your child find relief.

Strep throat is a highly contagious, common childhood illness that is caused by a bacterial infection. If you have any more questions, contact your pediatrician.

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10 February 2022