What to Do If You Think Your Child Has Strep Throat
What is a strep throat?
A strep throat is a disease which occurs at the back of the throat, usually in children, including the tonsils caused by streptococcus. Strep throat is spread by respiratory droplets from someone who is already contaminated by the disease. Some individuals may transmit the bacteria with no symptoms at all.
It is perhaps one of the most fearful illnesses your child can catch and one that you should be worried about. It may be difficult to understand the complexity of strep throat which your child is diagnosed with, however there are a few signs that you should definitely consider when trying to figure out how dangerous the issue may be.
Signs of a Strep Throat
Red and White Patches in the Back of the Throat
This is one of the very noticeable evident signs that provide evidence that your kid may have strep throat. Basically all you have to do is, look in the back of their throat, and observe closely whether there are any red or white patches present there. This sign of contamination is entirely restricted to this infectious ailment. If so, your kid has strep throat without any doubt. However, there are different signs to look for also to be completely assured about this.
Facing Complexity with Swallowing Food
This symptom might be a little more difficult to recognize, unlike the latter stated. This is because you cannot actually feel or realize what is happening in your child’s throat or what he or she may be feeling. One way to recognize it is, if your child has lost their appetite entirely or is taking more than normal time to swallow something they are eating, then strep throat is unquestionably a likely reason.
Getting a Headache
Getting a Strep throat is very similar to getting a sore throat which is usually the case after getting a headache and/or fever. If you notice that your child has a unrelenting headache and a sore throat, it may be a symptom of the Strep throat and it would be best if you contact his/her pediatrician right away.
Puffy Lymph Nodes and inflated Tonsils
Having strep throat means being associated with a lot of swelling in or near the throat area. A few of the areas where this noticeable swelling may appear, is on either both or one side of your child’s neck, which is known as “Lymph Nodes”. If this area is also followed by swollen or bright red tonsils, then it may be very likely that your child has strep throat and you should take him/her to the Pediatrician for better care as soon as possible.
Fever
Having a fever is a common sign that your child’s body is trying to battle off an infection. If any of the previously stated symptoms are accompanied by a fever, it is very likely that your child may be on the verge of having a strep throat.
Stomach Pain and Nausea
Whilst showing signs of the previous stated symptoms, your child complains of having stomach pain or nausea, this should be a clear sign for you to head over to the pediatrician because it is another major sign of strep throat that your child’s body may show.
Prolonged Sore Throat
Another major symptom is a sore throat that continues to last for more than 3 days, especially if your child does show the symptoms stated above. It’s better to fight off an infection at its early stage rather than letting it spread to the rest of your family or friends.
How to Help Your Child When You are assured that They May Have Strep Throat
Call Their Pediatrician
As parents, the most you can do is comfort you child and provide them with pain killers to minimize the symptoms. However, while doing so it is very necessary that you get in touch with your child’s Pediatrician so they can receive special care, treatment and the proper antibiotics needed for such an ailment.
Strep throat is a transferable virus that must be taken care of effectively and as soon as possible. If you think your child may be showing symptoms of a Strep throat get help – Contact us!