Imagine your child waking up in the morning with a sore throat and fever, feeling run down, tired, and complaining of a headache. It might seem like a simple virus, especially during cold and flu season. But could it be something more?

How to spot strep throat

Strep throat is a common but specific type of sore throat that affects school-aged children and adults. It's caused by the highly contagious group A streptococcus bacteria. This bacteria spreads through coughing, sneezing, sharing food or drink, or touching infected surfaces, then your face and mouth.

If your child has typical cold symptoms – a runny nose, cough, or pink eye – it’s more likely their sore throat is caused by a virus and not strep. This distinction is important because viruses and bacterial infections (such as strep) are treated differently.

To differentiate strep from a regular sore throat, look at your child’s symptoms. With strep, the inside of a child’s throat turns red, and their tonsils can swell, sometimes with little white dots appearing.

Other symptoms of strep can include:

• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes at the front of the neck
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Rash around the neck and chest

Testing and treatment

If you suspect your child has strep throat, their provider can perform a strep test to confirm. This involves swabbing the back of your child’s throat and testing the swab for group A strep bacteria.

If the swab comes back positive, their provider will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. If taken soon after the start of symptoms, antibiotics can help your child feel better more quickly. Usually, children are no longer contagious after 24-48 hours of antibiotic use and can go back to school if they are fever-free.

Even when your child starts to feel better, they should continue taking the full course of antibiotics. Failing to do so can lead to a reoccurring infection or health complications.

Over-the-counter pain relievers are a great option for helping with pain while the antibiotics do their job. Since strep can make swallowing painful, monitor your child to ensure they are eating and drinking enough throughout the day. Warm beverages, soup, and other fluids can be soothing and help prevent dehydration. Popsicles and other frozen treats are also great for calming a sore throat. Avoid citrus beverages such as orange juice, which can further irritate a sore throat.

Preventing strep throat

When kids are in close quarters at school, daycare, or sports practices, preventing the spread of illness can be challenging. However, keeping your child home when they start to feel sick is key to avoiding spreading germs. While at home, your child should rest and isolate if possible.

Washing your hands frequently, avoiding sharing utensils, cups, and food, and swapping out toothbrushes can also help. Other hygiene habits, such as frequently washing bedding, coats, sports uniforms, and winter gear with warm, soapy water, can help prevent strep bacteria from lingering.

Strep throat is a common but painful sickness that many kids deal with. Still, knowing the signs and ways to manage it can help your child feel better faster. If you are concerned about a potential strep throat infection, your Atrius Health provider is here to help.