Is it Just a Sore Throat or Strep?

What is Strep Throat?

It happens quickly. One minute, your child is full of energy, and the next, they may seem lethargic and complain of a sore throat. Is that all it is, or is it something more serious like strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. It is not a viral infection. It gets its name from group A streptococcus bacteria, which can cause various illnesses from mild to severe. Strep throat is most common in school-aged children, but it can also affect teenagers as well as parents and caregivers who have had direct contact with the infected child.

Strep is a contagious illness; the bacteria can spread easily through respiratory airborne droplets and direct contact with contaminated surfaces. If treated promptly, most cases of strep throat are mild.

Symptoms of Strep Throat in Children

Symptoms of strep throat usually appear two to five days after contact with the bacteria. The most common symptom is a sore throat. Your child may also develop a fever that peaks on the second day of infection. Other symptoms of strep throat may include:

Chills
Pain when swallowing
Fatigue
Red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae)
Red, swollen tonsils
Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
White patches on the tonsils

Less common symptoms include:

Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Rash, which can indicate scarlet fever, a bacterial illness that can develop in some people with strep throat
Stomach pain

“If you think your child is showing signs of strep throat, make an appointment with your pediatrician. They will ask about their symptoms, perform a physical exam, and check for swollen lymph nodes or tonsils. If strep throat is suspected, the pediatrician will also perform a strep test. ”

Jennifer Kalansky, DO, Catholic Health Pediatrician

How is Strep Throat Diagnosed?

A strep test can detect group A Streptococcus bacteria. For this test, a specialized cotton swab is used to wipe the back of the throat. The swab can then be used for a rapid strep test or sent to a lab for a throat culture.

If the strep test is positive for this bacterium, your child has strep throat. If the test is negative, the pediatrician may send the sample to a lab to double-check the results.

Strep Throat Treatment

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat strep throat. These types of medications kill the bacteria that cause infection. The most common types of antibiotics used to treat strep include penicillin and amoxicillin. If your child is allergic to penicillin, the physician will prescribe an alternative antibiotic. The antibiotic will be prescribed in liquid or pill form and must be taken for 10 days. In severe cases, your child may receive an antibiotic injection.

Your child must finish the full course of prescribed antibiotics, even if they start to feel better, because the bacteria can still be alive within their system. “Strep throat must be treated promptly and properly,” said Dr. Kalansky. “Without proper treatment, the risk of serious complications, including developing rheumatic fever, increases.”

If your child has a sore throat, your pediatrician may recommend eating soft foods that are easy to swallow until they feel better. Soup, yogurt, or ice cream can help soothe a sore throat. Acidic or hard foods, such as citrus fruits or crackers, can irritate the throat and make it feel worse.

Risks for Contracting Strep Throat

Close contact with someone who has strep throat is the most common risk factor for children and teenagers. You can spread the bacteria that cause strep throat to others in your household.

Strep throat can spread easily in close quarters, such as daycare centers and schools. It is more common in the winter and early spring because people tend to be inside more and in close contact with others.

It is rare for children younger than 3 years old to get strep throat. Babies have antibodies from their mothers that protect them from bacteria. Younger children also have smaller tonsils, making it more difficult for bacteria to multiply and create an infection. If a younger child does get strep throat, the symptoms are usually milder, and they have fewer complications.

Recurrent Strep Throat in Children

“You may think your child is no longer in danger of getting strep throat after they finish their antibiotics,” said Dr. Kalansky. “But it is possible to get strep throat more than once.”

Your child might continue to get strep throat for various reasons, including:

They did not finish their antibiotics.
They have a compromised immune system from an underlying condition.
The bacteria that caused the infection are resistant to antibiotics.

If your child does not feel better after antibiotic treatment or repeatedly develops a strep infection, speak with your pediatrician for further evaluation.

Can Strep Throat Be Prevented?

While a strep infection can't always be prevented, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of catching and spreading strep throat.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Use an alcohol-based sanitizer if you are unable to wash your hands
Keep your children home from school if they are sick
Avoid sharing drinks, cups, or utensils with other people
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze or cough
Replace your toothbrush after an illness to avoid any lingering bacteria
Finish the entire course of prescribed antibiotics

Recovering from Strep Throat

After starting antibiotics, most children start to feel better within two days. Once their fever subsides and their energy returns, most children can return to school within 48 hours after their first dose of antibiotics. However, this timing may vary based on how your child is feeling; some children may take longer to recover than others.

Learn more about the advanced Pediatric Care at Catholic Health.