Strep Throat

• Symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
• Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are usually not seen with Strep throat and are more suggestive of a viral cause.
• Scarlet fever rash (fine, red, sandpaper-like rash) is highly suggestive of Strep throat
• Peak age: 5 to 15 years old. Uncommon under 2 years old unless sibling has strep.
• Diagnosis should be confirmed by throat culture prior to starting treatment (there is no risk to your child to delaying treatment until a throat culture can be performed).
• Acute Rheumatic Fever may occur in children not treated within ten days of symptom onset.
• Standard treatment is with penicillin or amoxicillin, other antibiotics may sometimes be used.