Strep Throat Symptoms And Treatment
Knowing your strep throat symptoms and treatment will save you a lot of pain, money and time. The symptom of strep throat aren't very easy to spot because they are similar to other throat infections, and this is why it's important to get a proper diagnosis from your doctor if you suspect strep throat is the cause of your symptoms, or the symptoms of one of your child.
Babies and strep throat symptoms
Babies rarely get strep throat, and this is due to the antibiotics that they're given before birth, and in some cases the rarity of this baby infection will prevent a doctor from performing a simple test. If you know your baby has been around someone with the infection it's important you tell your doctor as this can influence them into doing a test for strep throat. 95% of strep throat sufferers are aged between 5 and 15.
The most likely cause of them getting the throat infection are from someone else. Strep throat symptoms usually show up in 2 to 5 days and include...
- Thick yellow or green drainage from the nose which is quite colorful
- Possibly a low-grade fever
- High temperature
- Occasionally, a fine, red rash on the arms, legs and chest
- Irritability
- Refusal to breast feed or drink from a bottle
As your child gets slightly older the symptoms in young children aged 1 to 3 include...
- Poor appetite
- Trouble swallowing
- Sore throat
- Crankiness
- Swollen glands beneath their jaws ( lymph nodes )
Once your child gets older their symptoms will get worse. Their strep throat symptoms will include...
- Generally looking and feeling awful
- Very painful throats
- High fevers
- Severe difficulty swallowing
- And pus which can sometimes be seen covering the tonsils
Strep throat diagnosis
When you suspect your baby or child is suffering from strep throat you need to get a strep throat diagnosis from your doctor. As mentioned above if you suspect your baby has strep throat, and you know they have been in contact or near another strep throat sufferer you need to mention this as it will get your baby tested.
Strep throat treatment
Strep throat treatment is usually azithromycin for strep throat antibiotics. In a very young child or baby you have no option, but in older children you can, if you wish, get them to use a home remedy for strep throat. This will cut down on the amount of antibiotics they take, and protect their immunity, and natural flora for later life.
Strep throat or tonsillitis
The symptoms of these two infections are identical in nature. Find out more information here... strep throat or tonsillitis.