Strep Throat - Dearborn Pediatrics - Pediatric Medicine
Dearborn Pediatrics

PARENTS: Flu vaccines are now in!

You do not need an appointment but would still need to call from the parking lot when you arrive for this nurse visit.

Children younger than 5 years old–especially those younger than 2– are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. A flu vaccine offers the best defense against flu and its potentially serious consequences and also can reduce the spread of flu to others. Getting vaccinated against flu has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization.

Strep Throat

Strep Throat

Sore throats can be caused by bacteria (i.e. strep), a virus, allergens, environmental irritants (such as cigarette smoke) and postnasal drip.  The majority of sore throats are NOT caused by strep infection, but rather, a viral infection.

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria (called ‘Group A strep”).  It spreads through contact with droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough.  Strep throat is most common during the winter months and in children ages 5-15 years.

Common Symptoms of Strep Throat

  • Sudden onset of sore throat
  • Severe pain when swallowing
  • Fever (101 F or above)
  • Red, swollen tonsils
  • Tiny red spots (petechiae) on the soft or hard palate (back of roof of mouth)
  • Headache
  • Nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain
  • Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck
  • Rough rash that feels like sandpaper

A viral sore throat does not require antibiotics.  The presence of pink eye, runny nose, cough, diarrhea, and hoarseness usually indicates your child does NOT have strep throat.

A strep test (throat swab) is needed to tell if your child has strep throat.  Just looking at their throat is not enough to make a diagnosis.

If the strep test is positive, a prescription for antibiotics will be necessary. The antibiotics will shorten the course of the illness but more importantly will prevent the development of rheumatic heart disease.