There are few things worse than waking up with a sore throat. It is painful and keeps your little ones from feeling their best. What if it’s not just a sore throat, however? It could be streptococcal pharyngitis, more commonly known as strep throat. Strep is highly contagious and should be treated by a physician. The good news is, strep is short term and can be resolved with antibiotics within days to weeks. Know how to spot the differences between a sore throat and strep:
Sore Throat Symptoms:
Strep Throat Symptoms:
Sore throats can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Viral sore throats are often accompanied by cold symptoms that may include coughing, runny nose or red and watery eyes. Other causes of sore throat can include smoking, air pollution, allergies and dry air. Over-the-counter medication or home remedies like drinking warm liquids, gargling with salt water and sucking on ice chips may help alleviate sore throat symptoms.
If your little one has a cough, hoarseness, red eyes and runny nose, they may have a viral sore throat. They may also experience stomach pain, nausea, headache or vomiting. If your child’s symptoms are minor, he may ride out the illness in a few days. Sipping warm fluids like chicken broth or apple juice can help relieve pain. Children over six may find relief by sucking on lollipops or hard candy like butterscotch. It is reported that medicated throat spray or lozenges are not generally helpful.
If your pediatrician determines your child has strep, they can prescribe antibiotics. Doctors often diagnose the throat by performing a rapid strep test or throat culture by swabbing the back of the throat. Antibiotics decrease how long someone is sick, decrease symptoms and prevent bacteria from spreading to others. Make sure your child takes the antibiotics as long as instructed to, even if symptoms appear to lessen.
Strep throat is most common in children ages five to fifteen. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, estimates that approximately 11,000 to 13,000 cases of invasive group A strep occur in the US each year. Adults of school-aged children and adults who are often around children are also at risk for strep. Infectious illnesses such as strep tend to spread in places where large groups of people gather, like schools and churches. Strep is rare in children under the age of three. Strep throat is more common during winter and spring months.
When your child is sick, keep him or her home from school, so as not to infect others. It is important that your child drinks plenty of fluids, eats a healthy diet and gets plenty of rest. Remind your family to wash their hands with soap and warm water thoroughly and frequently. Avoid touching your face and monitor your little ones to ensure they are not putting their fingers in their mouths. If your child has a persistent sore throat with strep-like symptoms, call us at 252-752-7141 to schedule an appointment.
