How To Treat Strep Throat in Children and Teenagers

What is strep throat?

It happens quickly. One minute, your child or teenager is full of energy and the next, they complain of a sore throat. Is that all it is, or is it something more serious like strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils. It is not a viral infection. It gets its name from group A streptococcus bacteria, which can cause various illnesses from mild to life-threatening. If treated, most cases of strep throat are mild.

What are the symptoms of strep throat in children and teenagers?

“Symptoms of strep throat usually appear two to five days after contact with the bacteria,” said Jennifer Kalansky, DO, Catholic Health Pediatrician.

The most common symptom is a sore throat. Your child or teenager may also develop a fever that reaches its highest temperature on the second day of infection.

Other symptoms of strep throat include:

Chills
Pain when swallowing
Red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae)
Red, swollen tonsils
Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
White patches on the tonsils

Less common symptoms include:

Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Rash, which can indicate scarlet fever, a bacterial illness that can develop in some people with strep throat
Stomach pain

How is strep throat diagnosed?

“If you think your child or teenager is showing signs of strep throat, make an appointment with their pediatrician,” said Dr. Kalansky. “They will ask about their symptoms, perform a physical exam, and check for swollen lymph nodes or tonsils.”

She explained that a strep test can check for group A streptococcus bacteria. A specialized cotton swab is used to wipe the back of the throat. The swab can then be used for a rapid strep test or sent to a lab for a throat culture.

If the strep test is positive for group A streptococcus bacteria, your child or teenager has strep throat. If the test is negative, they may not have strep throat, but your pediatrician may send the sample to a lab to double-check the results.

How is strep throat treated?

Viruses, not bacteria, cause most sore throats. Your child or teenager should only start antibiotic treatment if they have a positive strep test. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause infection. The most common antibiotics are penicillin and amoxicillin.

The antibiotic will be prescribed in liquid or pill form and must be taken for 10 days. Your child can also receive an antibiotic shot. A different antibiotic is prescribed if a child or teenager is allergic to penicillin. They must finish the entire prescription of antibiotics, even if they start to feel better, because the bacteria can still be alive.

“Strep throat must be treated properly,” said Dr. Kalansky. “Without proper treatment, the risk of rheumatic fever developing between 14 and 28 days after a strep throat infection increases.”

If your child has a sore throat, your pediatrician will recommend eating soft foods that are easy to swallow until they feel better. Oatmeal, soup or yogurt can help soothe a sore throat. Acidic or hard foods, such as citrus fruits or crackers, can irritate the throat and make it feel worse.

What are the risk factors of strep throat for a child or teenager?

Close contact with someone who has strep throat is the most common risk factor for children and teenagers. You can spread the bacteria that causes strep throat to others in your household. To reduce the risk of infection, do not share personal items with someone who has strep throat.

Strep throat can spread easily in close quarters, such as daycare centers and schools. It is more common in the winter and early spring because people tend to be close to others.

Age is also a risk factor for strep throat. It occurs most commonly in children ages 5 to 15, although older teenagers and adults can also get it.

It is rare for children younger than 3 to get strep throat. Babies have antibodies from their mothers that protect them from bacteria. Younger children also have smaller tonsils, making it more difficult for bacteria to multiply and create an infection. If a younger child does get strep throat, the symptoms are usually milder and have fewer complications.

Can strep throat come back?

“You may think your child is no longer in danger of getting strep throat after they finish their antibiotics,” said Dr. Kalansky. “But it is possible to get strep throat more than once.”

Your child might keep getting strep throat for a few reasons, including: