Strep Throat Specialist

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes severe throat pain. Your child may develop strep throat if they come in contact with someone who has the infection, which is most often spread through droplets from a cough or sneeze.

Though viral infections are more often the cause of throat pain in children, not getting proper treatment for a strep throat infection may lead to kidney damage or rheumatic fever, which causes inflammation and pain in the joints. If your child is complaining of a sore throat, you should call Covenant Pediatrics for an evaluation.

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

Throat pain is the most common complaint with a strep throat infection. Other symptoms that may indicate strep throat include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils
• White spots on the tonsils
• Fever
• Headache or body aches

Unlike a viral infection, your child may not cough or sneeze with strep throat.

How is strep throat diagnosed?

Dr. Emezie conducts a comprehensive examination to determine if your child’s throat pain is due to a strep infection. To confirm or rule out whether your child has strep throat, she may conduct a rapid strep test, which can determine within minutes if the throat pain is a strep infection.

If Dr. Emezie suspects strep throat, but the rapid test was negative, she may also conduct a throat culture, which may take a day or two to confirm or rule out a strep infection.

How is strep throat treated?

If your child’s sore throat is a strep infection, then Dr. Emezie prescribes an antibiotic to clear it up. Your child should start to feel better within a day or two after starting the antibiotic, but be sure to continue the medication as prescribed to ensure full resolution of the infection.

What if the throat pain is not strep throat?

Most causes of throat pain are due to a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. Antibiotics aren’t recommended for these types of infections. Dr. Emezie may recommend time, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication to help your child feel better if the sore throat is due to a viral infection and not strep.

Strep throat is common in children and requires treatment with antibiotics. To get the right treatment for your child’s throat pain, call Covenant Pediatrics today, or request an appointment online.