Strep throat isn’t like other sore throats. If your child is complaining of a sore throat, it’s important to check their symptoms and bring them into Manchester Pediatrics Associates. Left untreated, strep throat can develop into more serious health conditions. Fortunately, the expert practitioners at Manchester Pediatrics Associates treat strep throat from their offices in South Windsor, and Tolland, Connecticut. With their care, you can help protect your child’s health and give them quick relief from their symptoms. Don’t hesitate to call them or request your appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat is strep throat?
Strep throat is most common in children. It starts as a sore throat, but unlike most other cases of sore throat, it’s caused by a bacterial infection. Without antibiotics, the bacteria lingers, extending your child’s symptoms.
Strep throat can also spread to other areas of the body and cause inflammatory illnesses, including scarlet fever and rheumatic fever.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Strep throat is marked by:
- A sore throat that develops quickly
- Swollen lymph glands
- Tonsils that look reddened, swollen, and may have white patches or pus
- Small red spots at the back of the roof of the mouth
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Body aches
- Pain when swallowing
If your child has a sore throat that lasts more than two days or comes with a fever, get in touch with the team at Manchester Pediatric Associates to determine if they have strep throat.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
The practitioners at Manchester Pediatric Associates are extremely experienced in diagnosing strep throat. With a simple physical exam, they can see if it’s likely that your child has been infected by the bacteria that causes strep throat.
To confirm that diagnosis, they swab your child’s throat and send that sample to the lab for testing. Manchester Pediatric Associates has an on-site medical lab so they can get you the diagnosis as quickly as possible.
If your child does have strep throat, they can offer treatment that helps them eradicate the bacteria as quickly as possible.
How is strep throat treated?
Because it’s caused by bacteria, strep throat is treated with antibiotics. Within 48 hours of taking the prescribed antibiotics, your child should feel markedly better. And your child won’t be contagious within 24 hours of taking the antibiotic, which means they can return to school a day after treatment starts, provided they feel well enough.
To help them heal as quickly as possible, encourage lots of rest and hydration. Offering easy-to-swallow foods and warm drinks helps soothe their sore throat. You can also have your child gargle ¼ teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of warm water to relieve their throat pain.
With proper treatment, strep throat resolves quickly. Get your child the care they need by calling Manchester Pediatric Associates or requesting your appointment online as soon as symptoms develop.