{"id":18293,"date":"2021-01-21T11:01:14","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T16:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=18293"},"modified":"2021-01-25T11:16:10","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T16:16:10","slug":"strep-throat-in-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/strep-throat-in-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"The parent\u2019s guide to strep throat in kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Endless coughs and sneezes, runny noses, and unexplained itchy bumps\u2014kids seem to be a magnet for germs. In our parent\u2019s guide to childhood illnesses, we talk about the symptoms and treatments for the most common conditions. Read the full series<\/span><\/i> here<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is strep throat?<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Complications<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Prevention<\/a> | Recurrent strep throat infections<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy throat hurts.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When your child says this, it\u2019s likely your mind immediately jumps straight to strep throat. While it is not the only potential reason for a<\/span>\u00a0sore throat<\/span><\/a>, it is common\u2014and worrisome. With treatment it\u2019s rarely serious, but strep throat in kids usually means time off school or day care, a trip to the doctor, and a round of antibiotics. In other words, it\u2019s not fun for anyone involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is strep throat?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Strep throat is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called group A streptococcus. This bacteria is responsible for 20% to 30% of all sore throats<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrep throat is very contagious,\u201d says<\/span> Soma Mandal<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified internist at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. \u201cTypically, the bacteria spreads through sneezing and coughing.\u201d It can also be spread by the sharing of personal items such as cups and utensils with someone who has strep throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone can catch strep throat, but it\u2019s more common in children. \u201cKids and teenagers are more prone to it, since they<\/span> go to school with larger groups<\/span><\/a>,\u201d Dr. Mandal says. It is most common in ages 5 to 15 years old and rare in children less than 3 years old.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parents can absolutely catch<\/span> strep throat<\/span><\/a> from their children, so take care to avoid exposure while caring for a child with strep throat. With antibiotic treatment, strep throat in kids is usually contagious for<\/span> 24 to 48 hours<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrep throat will usually resolve without antibiotics within seven to 10 days, but there is increased risk of other conditions (like rheumatic fever) and a person stays contiguous for two to three weeks,\u201d says Toni Brayer, MD, FACP, an internal medicine physician in San Francisco.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strep throat symptoms in children<\/span><\/h2>\n

Symptoms of strep throat can be mild or severe. They typically appear<\/span> three to five days<\/span><\/a> after exposure to the bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most common symptoms of strep throat are:<\/span><\/p>\n