Nurse's News: Strep Throat
Strep throat is an infection caused by the streptococcus (strep) germ. Children who have a strep infection are at risk for heart and kidney diseases. A child with strep may have a sore throat, swollen glands, fever, a headache, or a stomach ache. Sometimes the throat is so sore that a child has trouble swallowing and does not want to eat. A child may also have no symptoms.
How can you tell if my child has strep? How will my child be treated?
Your child will take an antibiotic for
10 days to kill the strep infection. Follow the directions on the bottle for
how much medication to give and how often to give it. Your child should feel
better within 48 hours. Make sure you give all the medicine because it takes
10 days of treatment to fully kill the strep germ and to prevent the development
of heart disease.
Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol or Tempra) for sore throat and fever.
An older child may find gargling with warm salt water to be soothing for a
sore throat. (To make the salt water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup
of warm water.)
Give your child plenty of cool "liquid" foods, such as popsicles,
jello, and ice cream.
What else do I need to know and do about strep?
Strep is contagious. It spreads by close
contact with persons who have the germ. Strep often spreads to other family
members, classmates, and children at day care. Your child will no longer be
contagious 24 hours after starting the antibiotic. If your child feels
better and does not have a fever, he or she may go back to school after 24
hours.
Tell your child's school and friends about the strep. Anyone with a sore throat
should be checked for strep. You do not need a throat culture if you feel
okay.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor if you have questions or if your child has any of the following:
Source: Mosby's Pediatric Patient Teaching Guides, Mosby-Year Book, Inc.