Everything You Need to Know About Strep Throat, According to a Pediatrician & Mom

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As a pediatrician in a bustling New York City pediatrics practice, I’ve treated copiousness of children with bruise throats. (I’m also a mom of 3 immature boys, so sore throats have been an emanate in my house, too!) Many relatives assume that a bruise throat means strep throat, though here’s a thing:  In school-aged children with bruise throats customarily three out of 10 will indeed have strep throat. More often, children with bruise throats have viral infections. So, as a parent, you might have lots of questions about how to provide a bruise throat and when to find medical attention. You might wonder: What is strep throat? How do children get it? Does it need to be treated? For answers to all of these questions and more, check out my guide.


What is strep throat?


Strep throat is a bacterial infection of a behind of a throat. 


Who is many expected to get strep throat?


It’s most common in children between a ages of 5 and 15. It’s doubtful that children underneath age 2 will get strep throat, unless they have comparison siblings or have been unprotected to a infection. 



What are a symptoms of strep throat?


The many common symptoms are heat and bruise throat. Other symptoms include:


  • Headache

  • Abdominal pain

  • Decreased appetite

  • Fussiness

  • Swollen glands

  • Pain with swallowing

Scarlet fever, a chronicle of strep throat, can means a red, raised, rough-feeling unreasonable on a abdomen, chest, and back. While a condition sounds scary, it is unequivocally strep throat with a rash and it’s treated with antibiotics, customarily like any other box of strep throat.


How is strep throat diagnosed?


Doctors can test for strep throat by running a soothing string bandage along a behind of a patient’s throat. Preliminary formula from what’s called a fast glow exam will come behind in about 5 minutes. If those formula are positive, a diagnosis is reliable and your child will need antibiotics. If it is disastrous it is doubtful that your child has strep throat; however, given a fast strep exam is not ideal and can skip some cases of strep throat, the alloy will send a throat enlightenment out to a lab to endorse a diagnosis.


Is there a approach to tell a disproportion between a viral bruise throat and strep throat?


The customarily approach to tell for certain is to have a throat enlightenment finished by your child’s pediatrician. However, there are earthy symptoms that can assistance relatives to heed between a two. Sore throats accompanied by runny nose, cough, red eyes, ulcers in a mouth, or hoarseness tend to be caused by a virus. Signs of strep throat are sudden, serious throat pain, heat larger than 101, distended glands in a neck, and serious pain with swallowing (although it is probable for children to have strep throat but a fever).


How is strep throat treated?


Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. Children might get symptomatic alleviation but antibiotics, however, strep throat needs to be treated with antibiotics so that it doesn’t spin into rheumatic fever, that can means heart damage. Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen (in children comparison than 6 months) can assistance keep your child’s pain underneath control, so that he can stay hydrated. Soothing dishes like popsicles, jello, and cold liquids can also help. You should also change toothbrushes after your child has been on a antibiotics for 72 hours and before a execution of antibiotics. Children with memorable strep throat infections (generally some-more than 6 in a year) are typically referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist and might have their tonsils removed; however, this procession isn’t commonly performed today.


When should we take your child to a pediatrician?


If we are endangered that your child has strep throat, we should always see a doctor, generally if your child has any of these symptoms:


  • Sore throat accompanied by heat that is durability larger than 48 hours

  • Severe bruise throat accompanied by distended glands

  • Sore throat accompanied by a rash

  • Strep throat that hasn’t improved within 72 hours of antibiotic treatment

When can children with strep throat go behind to school?


Children contingency be on antibiotics for during slightest 24 hours and be fever-free for the same length of time before they can go behind to class.


Is there any approach to forestall strep throat?


Strep throat is widespread by hit with secretions (nasal or saliva) of someone who has a infection. Symptoms will customarily rise within dual to 5 days of exposure. The best approach to forestall strep throat is to have your child wash her hands frequently and equivocate pity utensils, cups, towels, and so on with others. Also, learn her not to hold her face, given germs can be widespread from her hands to her mouth, eyes, and nose by which they can simply enter a body.


More recommendation from Dr. Blanchard:


  • A Guide to Ear Infections, from Symptoms to Treatment

  • How to Get Rid of Head Lice (Yes, Even a Drug-Resistant Kind)

  • 5 Sneaky Ways to Keep Your Kids Healthier This School Year

Photo: Getty





Everything You Need to Know About Strep Throat, According to a Pediatrician & Mom
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