Anyone can get strep throat, but it is most common in children between 5 and 15 years old. Early diagnosis is important so treatment can begin right away. Prompt treatment can alleviate symptoms, help the infection clear up faster, and reduce the risk of spreading strep throat to others. Dr. Errol Douglas, the board-certified pediatrician at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, diagnoses and treats strep throat in children and teens.

Causes and Symptoms of Strep Throat

Strep throat is an infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. It is contagious and can be passed on to others by sneezing, coughing, or sharing food and drink. The infection can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, such as doorknobs.

Children might experience many different symptoms when they have strep throat. Common symptoms of this illness include:

• Sore throat
• The throat is red or irritated
• Tonsils are red, swollen, and sore
• White patches/spots on the throat or tonsils
• Lymph nodes that are tender or swollen
• Pain when swallowing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Bad breath

Diagnosing Strep Throat

The first step in diagnosing strep throat is a brief physical examination in which the doctor will check for common visible symptoms of the illness, such as swollen lymph nodes and white patches, redness, and swelling of the throat. The next step is to collect a sample by swabbing the throat. The swab sample is then tested for the presence of the bacteria that cause strep throat. Results used to take a few days, but a rapid strep test is now available that can detect strep throat in just a few minutes.

Treatment for Strep Throat

Early diagnosis and treatment of strep throat is important for several reasons. Delaying treatment increases the risk of spreading the illness to others, especially within your own household. Seeking treatment when symptoms appear helps the infection go away more quickly and alleviates symptoms such as a sore throat. Another reason early diagnosis and treatment are important is that, if left untreated, strep throat could lead to more serious illnesses, such as scarlet fever or rheumatic fever.

At our pediatric office in Rockville, MD, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics, which help clear up the infection that caused the illness. Penicillin and amoxicillin are both regularly prescribed for strep throat, but alternatives are also available for children who are allergic to penicillin. Additionally, over-the-counter medications can be taken to reduce fever and alleviate pain and discomfort. Treatment for strep throat also includes drinking warm liquids and gargling with warm salt water to ease throat discomfort.

If your child has developed symptoms associated with strep throat, we can help. Call Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, at (301) 517-9710 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Douglas for the diagnosis and treatment of strep throat.