What are indications of strep throat??

[Bunchkin]

I've never had strep throat before nor has DH so we're not sure what the symptoms are.

Anyone know what to look for?? As I stated in a post earlier this week both DD and the baby are sick. Or I should say they are STILL sick. Ear infections and bronchitis.

But now DD is suffering from a high fever. She woke me up at 3:30 this morning saying she felt like she had to throw up. Which she did eventually. Which then I checked her temp. and it was 102.6. Gave her childrens Tylenol and by 7am it was 99.5. She has been feverish all day. And her throat seems to be reddish/pink and swollen. Right before she went to bed her temp was 101.

I just hate to see both of them so sick. DD is sleeping in our bed right now. Which she NEVER likes to do......unless she is really sick. Then she'll ask to sleep there.

And on top of it all, yesterday morning the baby was in his walker and hit his mouth on an attached toy on it and cut the small piece of skin in the mouth between the lip and upper center gum. I was right by him when it happend, but it happened soooo quickly. There was blood all over his face, shirt and the walker. DD was so scared that the baby needed to go to the hospital. I had to reassure her that he was ok, and that the mouth is an area that has a lot of blood surrounding it. The baby was fine shortly afterwards. And his gum looks to be fine too.

It's been a active week to say the least..........

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

DS gets strep throat 2 or 3 times a year. Not once has he complained about his throat hurting, even though it gets very red. He tends to run a high fever (102 - 103) and his voice sounds a little garbled. If you don't catch it at the very beginning, strep causes really horrible breath and that alone has tipped me off a couple of times.

 

[dzneelvr]

Sounds like there is a good chance it may be strep.
My 2 kids never get it, but if you don't do the test, you can't be sure.
Untreated strep is not a good thing.
Go to the doctor so that antibiotics can begin if necessary.

Fevers and sleepiness are nothing to guess about.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Fever
Throat/roof of mouth looks like "blood" splattered in it. If it is on the roof of the mouth (redness) that is usually a good indicator of strep.
Headache (most common symptom to look for) accompanied with throwing up
Hurts when they swallow, feels like a "knife"

They could have some of the symptoms or just even one. The only way to tell it to get a test.

My dd has the "throwing up" virus...OH what FUN...ah hem HOW long till spring????

 

[DonBII]

Bunchkin -

Actually, I've had Strep Throat many times in my life. Symptoms vary but can include:

Fever
Sore Throat (White spots on adnoids)
Strep Rash (A raised rash on the torso)

Usually, if a fever is accompanying a sore throat (for me), you can bet it is Strep.

If any of this sounds familiar, get to the doctor and get antibiotics.
I hope you all get feeling better soon.

 

[SonjaB]

Bunchkin, if she holds that fever for over 24 hours, have her seen by a doctor. Poor baby, she sounds miserable.

I've had strep more times than I can count, it's not fun. Swollen glands, swollen tonsils, fever, BAD headache. A rapid strep test at her pediatrician's office will let you know for sure.

 

[BethR]

Strep is one of those things in which unless you are tested you can never be certain just based on the symptoms.

You MIGHT have a really sore throat - or not.
You MIGHT have a fever - or not.
You MIGHT feel sick to your stomach - or not.
You MIGHT have spots on the throat - or not.

Just take your DD to the doctor for a strep culture or rapid-test - whichever they do. That is the only way to know for sure. If it is strep - then it is easily (and quickly) treated with antibiotics.

The only thing is - if your DD is already on antibiotics for ear infections - then there is very little chance that it is strep. It is probably viral. Which is even more frustrating - because there is nothing that can be done other than treat the symptoms.

Hang in there Bunchkin. Healthier days are around the corner.

 

[Bunchkin]

DD just ended a prescription of antibiotics for the ear infection. So I wonder if it is possible of it being strep.

I'll have to call her pediatrician at home tomorrow and she what she says. Obviously the office is closed tomorrow so we'll have to see what she thinks.


And DD went through the throwing up stomach flu that was going around back in November. That was the worst. First it was the 'regular' flu....and then it turned into stomach virus. Everyone ended up getting it....including the baby. That was THE WORST!!

DD is only 5yr old. And it seems that she has been so sick latley. I blame it in part to her preschool. I have never seen so many parents bring thier children to school so sick. Is missing a day or two, or even longer, really worth getting other children sick???

 

[tstobb]

Better to have it checked so that antibiotics can be given if needed - an untreated strep infection can lead to problems later in life. I have an aortic insufficency in one of my heart valves that is caused by a calcification of one of the valves. The only way that the Doctors can figure that it is at the stage it is for my age (I'm 36) is from an untreated strep at some point in my life.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It could be that the ear infection did not clear up and I would take her to check it out.

 

[browneyes]

The 1 thing that can be trusted about strep throat is the bad breath. Strep breath has a certain scent to it.

Some symptoms are:
1. headache (around the eyes)
2. fever
3. white patches on the tonsil area
4. red and striated in the tonsil area
5. loss of appetite
6. hurts to swallow
7. being overly tired
8. the bad breath

I agree with BethR though. You MJST have a test to see for sure if it's strep. Tonsillitis has similiar symptoms, and not every strep case is identical. I hope your dd gets to feeling better soon.

 

[Bunchkin]

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[cgcw]

I had strep as an adult last Memorial Day weekend. Let me just say it was one of two times in my entire life that I remember being that sick and I was miserable. I got up in the AM and just didn't feel good. I stayed up for maybe an hour and had to go back to bed. I knew a fever was setting in because I was chilled. I slept for about 4 hours and when I woke up, my throat was just a bit scratchy but I still felt really, really sick. My temp had risen to over 103 - which is unusual for an adult. I went to the ER and sure enough, it was strep. I can't imagine how terrible it must feel to a child. They are so much smaller and I realy sympathise if they feel anywhere near what I felt.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by BethR
You MIGHT have a really sore throat - or not.
You MIGHT have a fever - or not.
You MIGHT feel sick to your stomach - or not.
You MIGHT have spots on the throat - or not.

I SOOO agree with Beth.

DS came to me about an hour ago saying his throat hurt. It's pretty red, no spots, no fever. Not thinking strep but, maybe tonsillitis. Tried thinking of an immediate care that would be open just to run him over there but, none open. It'll have to wait til morning.

Hope Lauren is better real soon.

 

[janette]

I've also had strep many times, anytime I have a sore throat & fever I go to the dr to get a strep test and also take the kids. As other's have said the symptoms can vary but it can be dangerous if untreated. The fever also will not go away if there is an infection, unlike a virus that will pass.

If she's still running a temp tomorrow I'd get her in first thing Monday.

Hope it passes and she's all better tomorrow though

 

[BethR]

As other's have said the symptoms can vary but it can be dangerous if untreated.

I guess that is exactly the reason that as soon you whisper "sore throat" to our pediatician's - it is "Bring them in for a culture." And our group has always tended to be on the conservative side - but not when it comes to strep.

 

[AmyA]

I agree w/ everyone else. If she still feels ill tomorrow, call or take her to the MD. DD#1 had to have tonsil/adenoidectomy last year for chronic strep (in Nashville pediatricians and ENTs define chronic strep as 4 separate strep infections in 6 months, or 6 in 12 months). She never, ever had a sore throat with her strep infections. Always a fever, lots of nausea, and that (what I call) "strep breath". Also, if you are concerned about your baby having strep, make sure to ask the MD to send a culture to the lab, and not just rely on the quicktest results. For most children under 2, the quicktest isn't as reliable as it is for older children.

 

[JESW]

Sorry to hear about your kids being sick! DS8 is currently on antibiotics due to strep! He missed a week of school. Kept having temps of 101 but then it went up to 103. Over-night he woke up soaked and the fever broke - went down to 99. I called the dr. and they wanted to see him - suggested that a child should be seen if they've had a fever 3 - 4 days. I thought DS was getting better but wanted him to be checked out to be sure. Both the dr. & I didn't think he'd have strep, but he tested positive! That was on wed. and now it's sun. and his ear is bothering him.

But he did just request pizza for dinner so that's a good sign! he hasn't eatem much all week, and hasn't even touched his gameboy - signs that he is sick!

You can't always go by what the "signs" are supposed to be. DS has been one kid who has had things (like ear infections) without having any of the things you're supposed to look for.

Jill

 

[Bunchkin]

Update on DD:

First thing this morning, DH took her to the hospital immediate care center since the doctor isn't in on Sundays.
Doctor there examined her and said her throat looked fine. And that since she had just been on antibiotics it was unlikely that she had strep. They did do a strep test which they called us with the results an hour or so later, they were negative.
So it's just a virus/upper respitory infection and we were already giving her the proper medication, Donatussin and Childrens Tylenol.

She just woke up from a 2 hour nap and has a lower temp., finally.