Parents always strive to make their children happy and healthy, so it can feel frustrating when your kid gets sick, but you have no idea how to ease their discomfort. Some children are prone to getting illnesses more than others, especially little rugrats who often contact bacteria-laden surfaces, but there is one sickness that can happen to anyone: strep throat.
What Is Strep Throat?
A graver form of sore throat, this illness is often caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus wreaking havoc in the tonsils. You know your child is struggling with strep throat if they show the following symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots or patches of pus
- Tiny red spots littering the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front area of the neck
The signs above commonly plague those with strep throat. However, there are times your child may also develop other adverse side effects like stomach pain, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, or even skin irritation.
Adults are also susceptible to getting this sickness, especially when their children spread the bacteria by coughing or sneezing everywhere. People can spread the bacteria and develop strep throat if they either touch, drink, or breathe in droplets containing the bacteria.
It’s easy to mistake strep throat for your run-of-the-mill flu, but you can distinguish strep throat from seasonal flu by checking out symptoms like coughing, runny nose, hoarseness, and pink eye from the list.
A Rapid Test to Diagnose Strep Throat
Strep throat is highly contagious, so it’s best to have your children checked at the nearest urgent care to limit the spread. Fortunately, strep throat can be diagnosed quickly with a rapid strep test, which uses a cotton swab to take sample fluids and provide results within 20 minutes.
Treating Strep Throat
When your child is struggling with strep throat, their pediatrician can prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria living in their tonsils. Typically, the medication lasts for ten days, though it can effectively ease fever-like symptoms within 24 hours. What’s even better news is that your child will no longer be contagious after taking antibiotics within the day, though the rest of the symptoms may calm down within two to three days.
The Bottom Line: Learning Preventive Care and Knowing the Proper Treatment Options For Your Kids Struggling with Strep Throat
When you suspect your child has strep throat, it’s best to bring them to the best urgent care near you! While it’s not the type of illness that can pose fatal threats, it’s still a painful experience that can also put others at risk.
Are You Looking for the Best Kids Urgent Care?
Parents want nothing but the best for their kids; that’s why it’s only right to treat their discomfort from injuries or illnesses at the best urgent care for children in Orlando, FL. We offer 24/7 medical services, so you don’t have to worry about rushing to the emergency room when your child gets sick after-hours.
