Your Child has Strep Throat

Your Child has Strep Throat Strep throat is an infection caused by a germ (Strep bacteria). It is common in children between the ages of 5 and 15. But anyone can get it. Strep throat is always treated with an antibiotic. As a rule, this germ is killed by the antibiotic fairly fast. And it will help keep the infection from being spread to others. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems.

Symptoms In addition to a sore throat, your child may have any of these symptoms: ●

trouble swallowing (your child may say “it hurts to swallow”)

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loss of appetite

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red or white spots on the throat/tonsils

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fever (temperature over 100.4º F or 38º C) tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck headache, stomachache, nausea or vomiting

Some children may also have ear pain or a rash.

What you can do Your child’s doctor will talk with you about how to care for your child.

These are some tips to help comfort your child and help in the healing: ●

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Give the antibiotic as prescribed. Be sure to give your child all of the antibiotic, even if your child seems well before it is all gone. This helps kill all of the Strep germs.

Give your child non-aspirin medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®) for discomfort or fever. Follow the directions on the box carefully or ask your child’s doctor how much to give. Do not use aspirin or aspirin products.

©2006-12 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.

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Your Child has Strep Throat

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Give your child lots of cool liquids and Popsicles®, especially if he or she has a fever. These will help the throat not feel as sore. Avoid acidic drinks like orange juice or lemonade that can irritate the throat.

If your child is over 5 years of age, ask the doctor about using throat lozenges, sprays or salt water gargles for throat pain.

A cool mist vaporizer may help your child feel better by keeping the air moist. Never use a hot-water or steam vaporizer.

Replace your child’s toothbrush after he or she has been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

When to call the doctor Call the doctor if your child: ●

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does not play or drink fluids has worse pain or if the pain does not get better with treatment

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has a hard time swallowing or begins to drool

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cannot open his or her mouth wide

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symptoms continue longer than 2 days after starting treatment

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develops a new rash

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has pain trying to move his or her neck

Since Strep can spread easily, if other members of your family develop a sore throat, call your doctor. They may need treated for Strep as well. ©2006-12 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.

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Your Child has Strep Throat

Preventing Strep from spreading Strep throat is easily spread from one person to another. It spreads most often by tiny droplets from the nose or mouth or by touch. To help prevent Strep from spreading: ●

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Wash your and your child’s hands often. Use warm water and soap and scrub for at least 15 seconds. Or, you may use an alcohol hand cleaner if your hands are not too dirty.

When your child has Strep, keep him or her away from other children, especially babies.

Teach your child to cover his or her mouth and nose when sneezing.

Teach your child to cough and sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away in a trash can.

Do not let your child share cups, glasses or eating utensils with others.

Keep your child home from day care and school for at least 24 hours after giving the antibiotic. You child should also be free of fever for 24 hours, without using fever medicine, before going back.

©2006-12 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.

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