When your child has a sore throat, you might start to wonder whether they have a common cold or something more serious. Strep is a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics to clear up, so knowing the signs can help you decide when to call your child’s healthcare provider.

Strep Throat WFMC

What Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is caused by bacteria. In this case, specifically group A Streptococcus bacteria. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or shares eating utensils. While anyone can get strep, it’s most common in children between 5 and 15 years old, especially during the school year when germs spread quickly.

However, unlike a cold or allergies, strep throat doesn’t lead to a cough or runny nose. Instead, it shows up with more specific symptoms.

Common Signs of Strep Throat in Children

You should suspect strep if your child has:

  • Sudden, severe sore throat
  • Pain when swallowing
  • Red or swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
  • Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Headache, stomachache, or nausea

It’s important to note that not every child will have all these symptoms. Some kids with strep may only seem mildly sick.

How Strep Throat Is Diagnosed

The only way to confirm your child has strep throat is to test for it. Your child’s provider will:

  • Perform a quick swab of the throat for a rapid strep test (results in minutes)
  • Sometimes send a sample to the lab for a throat culture if needed

Since strep is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are typically prescribed if the test comes back as positive. Following the instructions properly and finishing the full course of antibiotics helps your child recover faster and prevents complication (even if they start feeling better after a few doses).

Strep Throat WFMC Health

When to Call the Doctor

You should make an appointment with your child’s health care provider if:

  • Your child has a sore throat and a fever but no other signs of a cold or cough
  • Symptoms are severe or getting worse after 48 hours
  • Your child is having trouble swallowing or breathing

Caring for Your Child at Home

While waiting for test results or during treatment, provide warm liquids like soup or tea to soothe your child’s throat. Encourage a lot of rest and hydration and use age-appropriate pain relievers if recommended by your provider.

With quick treatment, most children start feeling better within a day or two. They should stay home from school until they’ve been fever free and on antibiotics for at least 24 hours (or for as long as their pediatrician recommends) to avoid spreading the infection.

This article is meant for informational purposes only. If you have questions or would like further information, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

This blog post was first published on WFMCHealth.org.