Recurrent strep infections?

[labdogs42]

Anyone know anything about recurrent strep infections? Strep throat to be precise? My son (age 2), DH and I have had strep throat 4x each since December 2006. We are getting tired of it!! This time I even asked to vet to treat the dogs because some people think they can be carriers of the bacteria. There isn't much research on it, but I figure it can't hurt (although it hurt my wallet to the tune of $144 for their prescriptions!! AAAGH!). I do NOT want to get strep throat any more! My son seems to be the least bothered by it. He barely seems sick. My throat is raw and my poor DH has a 102 degree fever! Every time we've had it, we have taken the full course of meds, gotten new toothbrushes and toothpaste and cleaned every surface in the house that we can think of. I really don't know what else to do! My son goes to daycare 2-3 days a week, so that's a possible infection point and my mom watches him sometimes, too. She's headed out for a strep test this afternoon! Anyone have any experience with something like this? Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

There has been a lot of reoccuring strep going on around here and I'm not all together that far from Lehigh Valley, PA. I had strep last week and my doctor told me that we needed to use an antiobiotic other than Z-pack because the Z-pack just isn't working latelly.

Get better soon!

 

[tkd lisa]

It can also be harboring in your tonsils (assuming you or you DS still has them). My DD had recurring strep/scarlet fever for about 3 months. Thankfully, they decided to take out her tonsils, and it was GONE!

 

[seven dwarfs]

we all got it twice within a month. Not sure why. Someone told me to throw away our toothbrushes after 3rd day of meds. I did it and we did not get it again. Plus so many can carry strep and not know it. Good luck, It is no fun getting it let alone more then once.

 

[PrincessAlina]

My husband used to get strep multiple times each year ever since he was a child. Unfortunately he would always pass it on to me and the kids. Finally 3-4 years ago he got fed up with it and had his tonsils removed. No one in our family has had it since. The recovery period after having his tonsils taken out was terrible and LONG, but the longterm results have made it well worth it.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

A few years ago, I had recurring strep. It went on about every 3 or 4 months for almost 2 years. The Dr. finally gave me a MUCH stronger antibiotic, and it cleared up. I've only had it once since then. Apparently, from what he said, I developed a resistance to the antibiotics and the strep was never completely leaving my system.

I hope you all feel better soon!

 

[labdogs42]

The tonsil thing is interesting to me. See, my Dh had his tonsils removed when he was a teenager and he's still getting strep now. That makes me wonder if getting DS's out would help or not. I can't figure out which one of us got it first this time, so I can't figure out where we are picking it up -- it is SO frustrating!!

 

[Alesia]

Taking antibiotics can actually cause recurrent infections because they prevent your immune system from producing antibodies. Assuming there are no complications, don't take antibiotics next time. Good luck!

 

[fb309]

When we get strep around here, we change tooth brushes midway of the meds and again when we finish them. I throw the pillows in the dryer on hot temp and change pillow cases alot while we are on the meds. Hope you're all feeling better soon.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

It can also be harboring in your tonsils (assuming you or you DS still has them). My DD had recurring strep/scarlet fever for about 3 months. Thankfully, they decided to take out her tonsils, and it was GONE!

This was the first thing I thought of when reading the OP. My sister suffered from recurring strep throat infections when we were growing up, and I don't know why she never had her tonsils removed then. She finally had her tonsils removed (I think she was in her late 20s at the time), and though the recovery is much harder as an adult, she's been much healthier since.

Just as a side note, my DS6 had his tonsils and adenoids removed at 14 months old. He had constant infections and respiratory problems, including sleep apnea and snoring, since infancy. We were very nervous about having the procedure done on our baby, but he was sick so much, and we had several scares where we had to stay in the hospital for days. The surgeon said his tonsils and adenoids were way oversized for a baby his age, so it was a good thing to remove them, gave him more breathing room, literally!

Within a year of his surgery, he could catch a cold, and it stayed that way, no high fever or struggling to breathe. Today he hardly ever gets sick. How different it is from his first year!

 

[Disneemomee]

My daughter (7) is currently battlling her 3rd strep infection . My dr said this year has been the worst due to antibiotic resistance. She went from Ammocillian, Kellflex, and now Vantin. I know that it is going around the school, and: in our school parents love to send sick kids to school before they are ready to return According to my dr with strep its 72 hours after your second dose of medicine should you return to school, but that is a whole other issue!
Any way hope everyone feels better soon

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Taking antibiotics can actually cause recurrent infections because they prevent your immune system from producing antibodies. Assuming there are no complications, don't take antibiotics next time. Good luck!

Please do not follow this. Strep throat can become very serious and damage your vital organs.
We are very careful since my dd has a repaired heart defect. You can get Rheumatic fever , which is different from Scarlet fever. This damages the heart valve.
Also somebody here on the DIS had a child die recently or knew a child that died from Mastoiditis caused by strep.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001034.htm

 

[KariC]

Thanks, Mystery Machine, for your post! I was thinking the same thing.

My son just had two shots (his poor legs) for his strep, after 3 days of azythromyicin . His caused a "back up" of fluids into his ears and an ear drum ruptured. Ugh. Anyway, he was back to normal and feeling good in less than 24 hours. It has been so awful at their school, both of my twins have done 4 rounds of antibiotics since mid-Feb. Daughter has a friend who hasn't made it to a full week of school since January. Thankfully, I've not caught it at all (DH has), which is great now that I have heart condition with this pregnancy.

Anyway....I asked their school to do an in-depth cleaning over spring break. They'd never heard of doing this (?????), but checked with their cleaners who agreed that they could. I'm praying that clears it up with the little germ carriers!

 

[labdogs42]

Please do not follow this. Strep throat can become very serious and damage your vital organs.
We are very careful since my dd has a repaired heart defect. You can get Rheumatic fever , which is different from Scarlet fever. This damages the heart valve.
Also somebody here on the DIS had a child die recently or knew a child that died from Mastoiditis caused by strep.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001034.htm

Thanks for that info. I would never try not treating strep anyway, it is WAY too painful for me!!!(and I read about the rheumatic fever thing online)

 

[DMickey28]

My DH has been sick on and off for the last few months. This is the first time he has actually been tested for Strep and put on the Z-Pack. We are hoping he kicks it soon since I could be giving birth to his son any minute!!!

He started the meds yesterday and I am going to switch out the brush tomorrow and wash all the sheets and stuff tomorrow as well. Provided I am not pushing out a baby ... Get this little guy moving. Someone didn't send him the memo!!

 

[Alesia]

Please do not follow this. Strep throat can become very serious and damage your vital organs.
We are very careful since my dd has a repaired heart defect. You can get Rheumatic fever , which is different from Scarlet fever. This damages the heart valve.
Also somebody here on the DIS had a child die recently or knew a child that died from Mastoiditis caused by strep.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001034.htm

You are right and I should have been more clear. You should always treat a child who has strep. I was thinking more about adults. If you choose not to treat it, you would have to monitor yourself very closely, because complications can arise.

 

[Tammi67]

From what I've been told, strep bacteria do not die. They have to be killed. My DS had it once and I went around and disinfected EVERYTHING that he would have had contact with with antibacterial wipes. Telephone, remote, door and drawer handles, toilet, light switches, chairs, hand rails, etc. I washed all sheets and towels in the hottest water. Neither myself not my DD came down with it, and after one round of antibiotics it was gone.

 

[Tiggerific711]

When my DD12 was in the 2nd grade she had strep 3 times in 5 weeks (my pediatrician even asked if we wanted a standing appointment ). My DH and I were even checked to make sure we weren't carriers. I finally realized that she hadn't brought her water bottle home from school since before the strep started. Once she brought it home and I ran the bottle through the dishwasher the strep went away after she finished the last round of antibiotics and she's never had it again. She was reinfecting herself with the water bottle!

 

[lajones81]

Two different students of mine have had double cases of strep this year. Ugh!! Does not sound like fun!

 

[N&B'smom]

It can also be harboring in your tonsils (assuming you or you DS still has them). My DD had recurring strep/scarlet fever for about 3 months. Thankfully, they decided to take out her tonsils, and it was GONE!

The same thing has been happening with my DD3. We have an appt with a specialist to get her tonsils/adenoids out in June. Can't wait to get those golfball size tonsils out of there!!

Shelby