Strep throat in kids can be extremely uncomfortable and affect your whole family. KidsStreet Urgent Care is here to inform you on the symptoms, testing, treatment, and prevention methods for strep throat in children.
Sore throat that came on suddenly? Pain when swallowing? Fever or swollen glands?
You may be wondering if your child has strep throat. A sore throat can come from several causes, including colds, flu, COVID, allergies, or strep throat. Strep testing can help a medical provider understand what may be causing your child’s symptoms and recommend next steps.
KidsStreet Urgent Care offers strep throat testing for kids when appropriate. Register online to save your spot in line, or walk in to a clinic near you.
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. The bacteria that cause strep throat are Group A Streptococcus.
Many sore throats are caused by viral infections, but strep is one of the most common bacterial causes of sore throat in children.
Strep throat is common in school-age children, but it is rare in children younger than 3 years old. It can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when someone with strep coughs, sneezes, or shares close contact with others.
Is It Strep Throat?
A sore throat does not always mean strep, but certain symptoms may need a closer look.
Strep throat symptoms in kids may include:
- Sudden sore throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Rash
Coughing, sneezing, runny nose, hoarse voice, and pink eye are more common with viral illnesses than strep throat. However, symptoms can overlap, so a strep test may be needed to confirm whether strep is causing your child’s sore throat.
Why Strep Testing Matters
Strep testing matters because strep throat is caused by bacteria, while many sore throats are caused by viruses. A strep test can help a medical provider determine whether strep 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.
Antibiotics are not used for every sore throat. Many sore throats are viral and do not improve with antibiotics. Testing can help guide care and avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
Testing for Strep Throat in Kids
If your child has symptoms of strep throat, a medical provider can review their symptoms, examine their throat and tonsils, and recommend testing when appropriate.
A rapid strep test is a common method for testing for strep throat in kids. A provider gently swabs the throat and tonsils, then uses the sample to check for signs of Group A Streptococcus.
In some cases, a throat culture may be recommended. A throat culture can take longer because the sample is sent to a laboratory to see whether Group A Streptococcus grows from the throat swab.
KidsStreet Urgent Care offers strep throat testing through our pediatric urgent care services when appropriate.
Home Care for Strep Throat Symptoms
While antibiotics treat the bacterial infection when prescribed, there are a few things you may be able to do at home to help manage your child’s symptoms:
- Offer fluids to help prevent dehydration
- Try warm liquids, such as broth or warm water with lemon
- Try cold liquids, ice chips, or popsicles if they feel soothing
- Encourage rest
- Offer soft foods, such as applesauce, pudding, yogurt, or soup
- Use a humidifier in your child’s room
- Ask your provider whether over-the-counter pain or fever medicine may be appropriate
- Ask your provider whether throat sprays or salt water gargles may be appropriate for your child’s age
- Avoid honey for children younger than 1 year old
Preventing Strep Throat in Children
There is no way to fully prevent strep throat, but healthy habits may help reduce the spread of infection.
To help reduce the spread of strep throat:
- Keep your child away from others who are sick when possible
- Wash your hands and your child’s hands often
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing
- Wash hands before eating or preparing food
- Avoid touching the mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands
- Avoid sharing drinks, food, utensils, or toothbrushes
- Clean frequently touched surfaces
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Keep your child home from school or activities based on your provider’s guidance
When to Visit KidsStreet Urgent Care
KidsStreet can help evaluate sore throat and strep symptoms that are not life-threatening but may need testing or a closer look.
Consider visiting KidsStreet for symptoms such as:
- 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
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
- Seizure
- Symptoms that feel life-threatening
Turn to KidsStreet Urgent Care for Strep Testing
Concerned your child may have strep throat? KidsStreet Urgent Care can evaluate your child’s symptoms, provide strep throat testing when appropriate, and recommend next steps.
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.
Walk-in patients are welcome, but will be added to the same queue as those who register online.