Strep Throat
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Montgomery Pediatrics, Inc.
Pediatrics located in Cincinnati, OH
Few things are more uncomfortable for kids than strep throat. At Montgomery Pediatrics in Cincinnati, Ohio, the caring pediatricians offer the highest level of care for strep throat and all other childhood ailments. Strep throat can be incredibly painful, but relief is swift once treatment begins. If your little one is fighting a sore throat and you suspect they might have strep, call to request an appointment today for answers and prompt treatment.
Strep Throat Q & A
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a type of bacterial infection caused by a group of bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. While not all sore throats are caused by strep, the infection can be very uncomfortable and is also contagious.
Once a child is infected, the bacteria can spread through microscopic droplets created from sneezing or coughing. That’s why most daycares and schools will send a letter home if one of your child’s classmates has strep throat.
The condition most commonly affects kids between the ages of 5-15, but anyone can develop strep throat.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Symptoms can vary, and it’s possible to have multiple symptoms of strep that turn out to be something else. Some symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- Rapid onset of throat pain
- Red or swollen tonsils that may have visible pus or white streaks
- Pain when swallowing
- Red spots on the roof of your mouth
- Rash
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Body aches
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes
These symptoms can be challenging for adults, but for kids, a strep throat infection can be downright miserable. If your son or daughter is complaining of a sore throat along with any of these other symptoms, come into Montgomery Pediatrics for an evaluation.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
The fastest way to determine if strep throat is present is a rapid antigen test. Antigens are substances that prompt your body to launch an immune response. This test looks for antigens with a simple swab sample that can be analyzed in the office and resulted in a few minutes.
Although this test is very good at detecting strep throat, it is possible for your child to have strep throat and this first test be negative. Because of this, Montgomery Pediatrics sends a follow-up test to the lab, which is typically resulted the next day.
How is strep throat treated?
The most common treatment for strep throat is a course of antibiotics.
Your child can usually return to daycare or school 24 hours after beginning antibiotics. At that point, they are no longer able to spread the infection to others and should be feeling better.
If you’re worried your child may have strep throat, call Montgomery Pediatrics today.