Strep Throat

Naples Pediatrics Our Services Strep Throat

Naples Pediatrics

Pediatrician located in Naples, FL

Strep throat occurs in children of all ages, but once they’re three or older, the symptoms often get worse, causing fever and extreme pain when swallowing. If your child has a sore throat, whether you suspect strep or not, please contact Dr. Paul Irra at Naples Pediatrics in Naples, Florida. When treatment begins early, your child suffers less because early treatment reduces the severity and duration of strep throat.

Strep Throat Q&A

What is strep throat?

Strep throat develops when the throat and tonsils are infected with a type of bacteria called group A Streptococcus, or group A strep. This type of bacteria can live in the nose and throat without making your child sick, but even when your child doesn’t have symptoms, they can spread the strep through coughing or sneezing. They can also transfer the bacteria if it’s on their hand and they touch a doorknob or other surface.

What is the difference between a sore throat and strep throat?

Any number of bacteria and viruses can cause a sore throat. In infants and children, viral infections are the most common. When a sore throat is due to a virus, there’s a good chance it will be accompanied by a cold. Allergies, postnasal drip, and dry air can also cause allergies.

When children have strep throat, they usually develop a sudden sore throat, but then additional symptoms develop over the next few days that aren’t seen in a common sore throat:

  • Severe pain when swallowing
  • Tender or swollen glands in the neck
  • Red and swollen tonsils
  • Patches of white on tonsils
  • Tiny red spots at back of mouth
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Lower stomach pain
  • Rash
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Body aches

How do strep throat symptoms differ depending on your child’s age?

The basic symptoms of a strep throat tend to be different depending on the child’s age:

Infants: Children from two to 12 months old may only have a low fever and a thick or bloody nasal discharge.

Toddlers: One and two-year-olds have the same thick or bloody nasal discharge. They also have a fever, often don’t have an appetite, and usually have swollen glands. Your toddler may complain of tummy pain rather than a sore throat.

Children over the age of three: As children age, strep throat becomes more severe and makes them sicker. They can have a very painful throat, a fever over 102℉, swollen glands, and pus on their tonsils.

How is strep throat treated?

Antibiotics are used to treat strep throat. When treatment begins within 48 hours of the onset of the illness, antibiotics should reduce the duration and severity of the symptoms and lower the chance that the infection will spread to others. Getting the appropriate treatment as early as possible also reduces the risk of complications of untreated strep, such as rheumatic fever, ear infection, pneumonia, and abscessed tonsils.

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