Strep Throat In Children

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is strep throat? Strep throat, also known as acute pharyngitis (far-in-JI-tis), is a throat infection caused by bacteria (germs). These bacteria make a toxin (poison) that can cause swelling of the tonsils and throat. Strep throat usually affects children from 5 to 15 years old. This may be easily spread in schools, daycare centers, and at home. It is most common during the winter and early spring.

What causes strep throat? Strep throat is caused by bacteria called group A streptococci (GAS). These are the bacteria that also cause scarlet fever. The bacteria is found in the nose, mouth, and throat of those who have strep throat. Strep throat is usually spread from an infected person to another person by coughing, sneezing, or by sharing food or drinks. Your child can become sick if he has contact with a person who has strep throat.

What are the signs and symptoms of a strep throat? Signs and symptoms usually appear 1 to 5 days after your child has been exposed to the strep bacteria. The earliest and most common sign is having a sudden sore throat. Your child may also have a fever, headache, rash, or pain with swallowing. The tonsils and throat are usually red and swollen, and may have white or yellow patches. You may also feel some tender, swollen lumps on the sides of your child's neck. Other symptoms may include abdominal (belly) pain, bad breath, nausea (upset stomach), or vomiting (throwing up).

How is a strep throat diagnosed? Caregivers will take note of your child's signs and symptoms. They may also want to know if your child had a possible exposure to someone with strep throat. A sample may be collected by rubbing a cotton swab on the back of your child's throat. A rapid strep test may be done with results available in just a few minutes. Your child's caregiver may also do a throat culture where the samples are taken to the lab. It takes more than 24 hours to learn the results of a strep culture done in the lab. If your child has strep throat, other family members may need to have a throat culture too.

How is strep throat treated? Antibiotic medicine is needed to treat strep throat. Your child should stay at home until he has taken the antibiotics for 24 hours. This is to prevent spreading strep throat to other people. It is very important to finish all of the antibiotics, even if your child is feeling better. With proper early treatment, such as medicine, further problems may be prevented and your child should make a full recovery.

What problems can strep throat cause? Untreated strep throat may cause one or more of the following problems:

• Heart or kidney diseases.
  
  
• Otitis media (middle ear infection).
  
  
• Sinusitis or mastoiditis (swelling of the sinuses or mastoid bone).
  
  
• Throat abscess (pus-filled swelling).

How can a strep throat be prevented?

• Ask your child's caregiver if antibiotic medicine can be given to your child. Antibiotics may be given if your child has been exposed to someone with strep throat. Your child may also receive antibiotics if he has a weak immune system and has been exposed to strep throat.
  
  
• Family members and friends should not share eating or drinking utensils with your child.
  
  
• Keep your child away from people with strep throat, the flu, or colds.
  
  
• Keep your child away from others while he is sick and contagious (able to spread his sickness). Do not send your child to school or daycare until he is feeling better and his caregiver tells you it is OK.
  
  
• Wash hands often with soap and water to prevent spreading or getting the infection.

Where do I find more information? Having a strep throat may be hard. Contact the following for more information about strep throat:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  National Center for Infectious Diseases
  Phone: 1-888-4437232
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/
  

• National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
  NIAID Office of Communications & Public Liaison
  6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
  Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6612
  Phone: 1-301-496-5717
  Web Address: www3.niaid.nih.gov
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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