You notice that they wince every time they swallow. Your first thought is probably, “Is this just a sore throat, or could it be strep?” You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions parents ask, especially once kids are back in classrooms and germs start making the rounds.
Sore throats can come from many things, including colds, flu, COVID, and allergies, but one culprit every parent will eventually encounter is strep throat. Symptoms can give you helpful clues, but testing can help confirm whether strep is present. For a deeper look, visit our guide to strep throat in kids.
In the meantime, here’s what to watch for and what you can do about it.
Common Strep Throat Symptoms in Kids
Strep throat doesn’t look exactly the same in every child, but symptoms typically include:
- Sudden sore throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Red or swollen tonsils
- Swollen glands in the neck
- White patches or streaks on the tonsils
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Rash
Your child may have only a few of these, and having one or two doesn’t automatically mean strep. What matters is the full picture.
Symptoms That May Point to Another Illness
Some symptoms are more common with viral illnesses than with strep throat. These include coughing, runny nose, sneezing, a hoarse voice, and pink eye. If your kiddo’s sore throat comes with a stuffy nose and a cough, a cold or other virus may be more likely.
Symptoms can still overlap, though. A child can have cold symptoms and strep at the same time (confusing, we know), so if something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth having a provider take a look.
Why Strep Testing Matters
Strep throat is caused by bacteria. Many other sore throats are caused by viruses. Because they can look so similar, strep testing for kids can help a medical provider understand what may be causing your child’s symptoms and recommend next steps.
If strep is confirmed, antibiotics may help reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, reduce the chance of spreading it to others, and lower the risk of complications. If it’s a viral infection, antibiotics won’t help. That’s why testing can be so helpful.
When to Visit KidsStreet Urgent Care
When your little one’s symptoms need attention but aren’t an emergency, pediatric urgent care for strep can be a great fit. You can take advantage of our friendly pediatric urgent care services for:
- Sore throat with fever
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen glands
- White patches or streaks on the tonsils
- Known strep exposure
- Symptoms that are getting worse
- Symptoms that are not improving
- Questions about strep testing or next steps
(And if your child has other non-emergency symptoms, our team can take a look at those too.)
When to Go to the ER
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1 if your child has:
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing saliva
- Drooling because swallowing is difficult
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Confusion
- A seizure
- Symptoms that feel life-threatening
If you’re ever unsure whether something is an emergency, it’s always okay to choose the emergency room.
What to Expect at KidsStreet
When you visit, a medical provider will review your child’s symptoms and perform an exam. If appropriate, the provider may use a throat swab for strep testing.
From there, they’ll recommend next steps based on your child’s symptoms, exam, and test results, and they’ll answer any questions you have along the way.
At the end of the day, you know your child best! If something feels off, you don’t have to wait it out and wonder.
Visit KidsStreet for Strep Symptoms
Strep is a crummy experience, but you and your kids don’t have to face it alone.
KidsStreet is open late 7 days a week!
Register online to save your spot in line! Online registration is not an appointment, but it can help reduce in-clinic wait times by adding you to the queue before you arrive.