Symptoms of Strep Throat Infection A young child who does not want favorite foods may have a sore throat. They may also start to cry during feedings. Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are not seen with Strep throat.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat
Those are signs of a viral infection, such as a cold. "Childhood strep throat might have symptoms that consist of severe sore throat, usually with pretty rapid onset. They might have a fever. They might have enlargement of the lymph nodes, the little nodes in the front of the neck.
If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, he will be prescribed antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin. An antibiotic will help reduce the duration of symptoms caused by strep throat, as well as decreasing the risk of rare but serious complications of the bacterial infection, such as acute rheumatic fever.
A viral sore throat is typically accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as cough, sneeze, runny nose and a hoarse or raspy voice. “A strep infection can make it feel very painful to swallow, and often comes with fever of 101-degrees or higher,” said Schairer.
Sometimes viral illnesses cause a sore throat that may be mistaken for strep throat. These include common cold viruses, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza (the "flu"), croup, mononucleosis (“mono”), measles, and chickenpox.
A common misconception is that if a child has tested positive for strep, household members should also be tested. Medically, only patients who have symptoms should be tested unless other circumstances arise. Testing and treatment is not recommended for family members or close contacts unless they are ill.
Even though strep throat can go away on its own after about a week, antibiotics can help make a person feel better faster and can keep the infection from spreading to other people. Within about 12 hours after starting on antibiotics, your child probably won't have a fever and won't be contagious.
Although strep throat usually gets better without treatment, some children can get complications if they are not treated. Children get better faster when treated with an antibiotic. Your doctor will decide if an antibiotic is needed.
Whether you are a child or an adult, it is always important to seek medical treatment if you have strep throat symptoms. Left untreated, strep throat can progress to scarlet fever or rheumatic fever.
If the mild sore throat persists for more than a day or two, it's a good idea to call our office for a sick visit. A child who has a fever, nausea, rash, fatigue, chills, and/or body aches along with a sore throat should get a strep test. We do in-office rapid strep tests that give you results in just a few minutes.
Common symptoms of strep throat
In addition to the standard sore throat and painful swallowing, some other signs and symptoms of strep throat may include: Tender, swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the front of the neck. Red spots on the roof of the mouth or palate. Swollen and red tonsils; white patches on occasion.
A child may be diagnosed with PANDAS when: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorder, or both suddenly appear following a streptococcal (strep) infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. The symptoms of OCD or tic symptoms suddenly become worse following a strep infection.
Are Home Strep Tests Accurate? Rapid strep test kits are available over the counter at drugstores and do not require a doctor's prescription. These tests are quick and easy to use, giving you results in as little as five minutes. It works just like a rapid test that doctors perform.
Left untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause stroke and permanent damage to the heart. Fortunately, strep throat can be easily diagnosed with a simple throat culture, and promptly treated with a course of antibiotics.
Cough is generally not a symptom of strep throat. Cough, hoarseness, runny nose, reddened eyes and other symptoms may point to a viral respiratory infection.
The underlying difference between strep throat and sore throat is that it is strep caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, while other sore throats are caused by other types of bacteria, viruses or irritants like allergies. Different types of pharyngitis also require different treatment plans and medications.
Strep throat
"A rapid strep test in the office can diagnose strep," says Dr. Eastman. "Then we prescribe antibiotics." Kids can usually return to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
Left untreated, strep throat in children may lead to scarlet fever, kidney disease or rheumatic fever. Your child's doctor can prescribe a treatment plan once a proper strep diagnosis has been made. This will often include a multiday course of antibiotics which should be taken for the prescribed duration.
See your doctor as soon as possible if your child's sore throat lasts longer than one week or is accompanied by: Fever. Red, swollen tonsils. White patches or pus on the back of the throat.
Strep throat can be contagious for about 2-3 weeks in individuals who are not taking antibiotics. However, individuals who do take antibiotics for strep throat usually are no longer contagious about 24- 48 hours after initiating antibiotic therapy.
Strep throat can occur at any age, even during infancy. However, strep throat is most common in school-age children. Children who develop strep throat may have signs and symptoms including: Irritability.
Cough, runny nose, pink eye, or hoarseness/laryngitis are not common with strep throat. So when a child comes in with a runny nose, cough and sore throat this is almost always due to a viral cause and should not be treated with antibiotics.
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
What Are Obvious Signs I Have Strep Throat? Throat pain and fever without a cough are the most common signs and symptoms of strep throat, says the CDC. You most likely have strep throat if you have a sore throat without cough and other symptoms of the common cold.