11/14/07
STREP THROAT seems to be on the rise at RCE. Several parents have told me in the past few days that their child was diagnosed with it.
Symptoms to watch for include: sore throat, sometimes accompanied by stomach ache, and fairly high fever, occasionally vomiting. Sometimes children have NONE of these!
Strep throat is diagnosed by strep tests, one rapid and one that takes longer. The rapid strep test can give false negative readings, so many doctors will do both if they suspect strep but get a positive result from the rapid test.
Strep throat needs to be treated by a full course of antibiotics. That means USE ALL OF THE MEDICINE!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!! It might help to ask the doctor to prescribe medication that needs to be given 2 or 3 times per day rather than 4 times per day…it’s just easier to remember to give all of the doses that way. Leave reminders around the house where you will see it. Stopping the antibiotic early, “because they feel better” can help the bacteria get stronger and mutate, requiring even stronger antibiotics. DON’T DO IT! Remember that untreated strep throats can progress to Scarlet Fever and eventually Rheumatic fever, which is rare but can effect your child’s heart. So take notice!