What is Strep throat and why does my child need antibiotics to treat it?

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Question: What is Strep throat and why does my child need antibiotics to treat it?

Answer: Strep throat, medically known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is a common bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It primarily affects the throat and tonsils, leading to symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

Group A strep infections can lead to skin symptoms like scarlet fever, a sandpaper-like rash starting on the chest and abdomen before potentially spreading to other parts of the body. Other potential complications include a form of flesh-eating bacteria, toxic shock syndrome which can lead to shock and potentially death, kidney inflammation, joint swelling and pain, and rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause permanent damage to the heart.

Fortunately, strep throat can be easily diagnosed with a simple throat swab and promptly treated with a course of antibiotics. The gold standard test is a rapid test. At the Pediatric Center we offer a highly sensitive rapid test known as a PCR test. PCR tests provide highly sensitive results in under 10 minutes.

Treatment of strep throat typically involves antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, to eradicate the bacterial infection and prevent complications. As with any antibiotic prescribed by a healthcare professional, it’s essential to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent further complications.

Strep throat remains in the community throughout the year and is highly contagious. We classically see more cases during the winter months while school is in session and soon after school starts. We are currently seeing a large number of cases in our community.

The Pediatric Center offers walk-in strep tests to our patients and encourages families to have tests done if children exhibit any of the above symptoms.

Awareness of symptoms and seeking timely medical care are essential for effective management of strep throat and associated conditions.