Recognizing Strep Throat in Children: Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do Next
As the new school year approaches, parents are gearing up for a return to the classroom, which often brings the added challenge of managing seasonal illnesses. One common illness that tends to spike during the school year is strep throat. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of strep in your child is crucial for getting them the care they need and preventing the spread of this highly contagious infection.
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It primarily affects the throat and tonsils, causing inflammation and pain. While strep throat can occur at any age, it is especially common in school-aged children. The infection spreads easily through close contact, making classrooms a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria.
Signs and Symptoms of Strep in Children
Knowing the symptoms of strep throat can help you take swift action if your child becomes ill. Here are the most common signs to watch for:
- Sore Throat: One of the hallmark symptoms of strep throat is a sudden, severe sore throat, often without the presence of a cough, which is a key differentiator from other types of sore throats.
- Painful Swallowing: Children with strep may find it very painful to swallow, which can lead to difficulty eating or drinking.
- Red and Swollen Tonsils: The tonsils may appear red and swollen, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus, which are strong indicators of a bacterial infection.
- Fever: A high fever, typically above 101°F, often accompanies strep throat. In some cases, children may also experience chills.
- Headache and Stomach Pain: Many children with strep throat report headaches and stomach pain, which can sometimes lead to nausea or vomiting.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: The lymph nodes in the neck may become tender and swollen as the body fights off the infection.
- Rash: In some cases, children with strep throat develop a red rash that feels like sandpaper. This is a sign of scarlet fever, a related condition caused by the same bacteria.
What do Do if You Suspect Strep Throat
If your child is displaying any of these symptoms, it’s important to take action right away. Strep throat requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to reduce the duration of the illness, prevent complications, and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
- Visit any CHC Site: The best course of action is to bring your child to any of CHC’s sites, including Caswell Family Medical Center in Yanceyville, NC, James Austin Health Center in Eden, NC, Urgent Care in Yanceyville, NC, or our Mobile School-Based Health Center in Caswell County, NC where our experienced providers can examine them and perform a strep test. This quick and simple test involves swabbing the throat to check for the presence of strep bacteria. If the test is positive, we can start your child on antibiotics immediately.
- Rule Out Other Illnesses: Sometimes, symptoms of strep throat can overlap with those of other illnesses, such as the flu or viral infections. Our providers can also test for these to ensure your child receives the correct diagnosis and treatment.
- Keep Your Child Home from School: If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, keep them home from school until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and their fever has subsided. This helps prevent the spread of the infection to other students.
- Follow the Full Course of Treatment: Even if your child starts feeling better after a few doses of antibiotics, it’s crucial to complete the full course of medication. This ensures that the bacteria are fully eradicated and reduces the risk of complications.
Be Prepared as the School Year Begins
As your child heads back to school, being vigilant about their health is key. Strep throat can spread quickly in school settings, but by recognizing the signs and taking prompt action, you can help keep your child healthy and ready to learn.
At CHC, we’re here to support you and your family through the school year and beyond. If you suspect your child may have strep throat or any other illness, don’t hesitate to bring them in for a check-up. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to ensure your child’s well-being.
Give us a call to make an appointment:
CFMC, Yanceyville: (336) 694-9331
JAHC, Eden: (336) 864-2795
Urgent Care, Yanceyville: (336) 694-1181
School-Based Health Center: (336) 502-2660
Let’s work together to make this school year a healthy and successful one!