Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Strep Throat


When GAS Attacks: Not Your Typical Sore Throat

Strep throat is going around this winter/spring. Unlike most sore throats which are caused by viruses, strep throat is a bacterial infection, the culprit: Group A streptococcus, AKA GAS. A bacterial infection will not go away on its own unlike a viral infection. 

So when do we suspect bacterial strep instead of the more common viral infection?

Image result for sick childSuspect strep if:
1. you have a sore throat that comes on quickly
2. severe pain with swallowing
3. fever
4. red and swollen tonsils possibly with white patches, and little red spots on the roof of your mouth

Suspect Viral infection if:
1. Sore throat comes on slowly with a COUGH or other cold symptoms
2. a runny nose
3. pink eye. 

Children are more likely to get strep than adults and suffer from its complications. Children with strep are more likely to have a headache, belly pain, or be queasy along with their sore throats. Young children can have a rash.

Strep Throat diagnosis is made in a doctor's office by a rapid strep test.  If there is a strong suggestion of strep and the rapid is negative, some doctors will send the sample for a culture which takes 2 days to result. Antibiotics are not used unless there is a positive on either test.  If the strep test is positive, the child should have 2 doses of antibiotics, and be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Finish ALL of the antibiotics prescribed.  Stopping antibiotics early can lead to complications and resistant strains of bacteria. 




For more information visit the CDC's strep throat information site here:

CDC strep throat

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