Strept Throat
Strept Throat in Children
Sore throats are common in children, but not all sore throats are caused by strep. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires medical evaluation and, when confirmed, treatment to help your child feel better and prevent complications.
What Is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It spreads easily through close contact, coughing, sneezing, or sharing utensils, and is most common in school-aged children.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of strep throat may include:
- Sudden sore throat
- Pain with swallowing
- Fever
- Red or swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
- Headache or stomach pain
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Unlike viral sore throats, strep usually does NOT cause cough, runny nose, or congestion.
What You Can Do at Home
While waiting for evaluation or test results, you can:
- Encourage fluids to prevent dehydration
- Offer soft foods if swallowing is painful
- Use age-appropriate fever or pain relievers as directed
- Avoid sharing cups, utensils, or toothbrushes
When to Call Us
Call our office if your child has:
- Sore throat with fever
- Known exposure to strep throat
- Swollen neck glands or rash
- Symptoms lasting more than 48 hours
📞 Call (816) 792-1170 and select option 3.
When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care
Seek urgent care if your child has:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Drooling due to throat pain
- Signs of dehydration
- Extreme lethargy or confusion
How We Diagnose and Treat Strep Throat
We perform a rapid strep test in the office when symptoms suggest strep throat. If the test is positive, antibiotics are prescribed to treat the infection and reduce the risk of complications. If the rapid test is negative, a throat culture may be sent depending on symptoms.
Returning to School or Daycare
Children diagnosed with strep throat may return to school or daycare after:
- At least 24 hours of antibiotics
- Fever-free without fever-reducing medication
- Feeling well enough to participate
Prevention Tips
To reduce the spread of strep throat:
- Wash hands frequently
- Avoid sharing drinks or utensils
- Replace your child’s toothbrush after 24 hours of antibiotics
- Cover coughs and sneezes
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re concerned your child may have strep throat, we’re here to help.
Request an Appointment through our online form, or call our nurse triage line for guidance.
