| Streptococcal pharyngitis is caused by Group A Streptococcus. It accounts for 95% of all cases of bacterial pharyngitis. It is most common in children ages 5 to 10 years old and most commonly occurs between the months of October to April. Mode of Transmission: spread by direct person-to-person contact via droplets of saliva or nasal secretions. Up to 20% of school children can be carriers. Pets may also be carriers. Please watch carefully for the following symptoms: 1. Temperature of 101 to 104 degrees F. 2. Sore throat with severe pain on swallowing. 3. A beefy, red pharynx (throat) 4. Enlarged, edematous tonsils and uvula. 5. Swollen glands along the jaw line. 6. Tonsillar exudate: in other words, white patches on the tonsils. 7. Generalized malaise and weakness. 8. Headache. 9. Abdominal discomfort. 10. Nausea, and sometimes one incidence of vomiting that does not appear to be the flu (occurs from swallowing the Strep. bacteria. 11. Up to 40% of small children have symptoms too mild for diagnosis. 12. Fever abates in 3 to 5 days; nearly all symptoms subside within a week. Treatment: * Penicillin or erythromycin for infection - DO NOT SKIP DOSES OF MEDICATION - TAKE IT ALL! * Analgesics/antipyretics for pain and fever (non-aspirin type due to complications of Reye's Syndrome) * ISOLATION from other children for 24 hours after antibiotic treament. NO SCHOOL FOR 24 HOURS AFTER ANTIBIOTICS BEGIN BECAUSE STREP IS VERY CONTAGIOUS. * FINISH THE ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION even if the symptoms subside. * Properly dispose of soiled tissues. * GOOD HANDWASHING. Complications: acute otitis media and acute sinusitis occur most frequently. Rarely: bacteremic spread may cause Scarlet Fever, arthiritis, endocarditits, meningitis, osteomylitis, or liver abscess. Post-streptococcal sequalae: acute rhematic fever or acute glomerulonephritis. Reye's syndrome is also a known complication. |
| Strep. Throat |
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