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Your
child has a strep throat infection diagnosed by a rapid strep test. The treatment of strep
throats can prevent some rare but serious complications, namely rheumatic fever
(heart disease) or glomerulonephritis (kidney disease).
In addition treatment usually eliminates the fever and much of the sore
throat within 24 hours.
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Antibiotics:
Your child's
antibiotic is ______________________
. Your child's dose is given _______times
each day for ____________ days. Try
not to forget any doses. If
your child goes to school or a baby-sitter, arrange for someone to give
the midafternoon dose. If the
medicine is a liquid, store the antibiotic in the refrigerator and use a
measuring spoon to be sure that you give the right amount.
Give the medicine until all the pills are gone or the bottle is
empty. Even though your child
will feel better in a few days, give the antibiotic for 10 days to keep
the strep throat from flaring up.
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Local
Pain Relief:
Older children can
gargle with warm saltwater (1/4
teaspoon of salt per glass) or suck on hard candy (butterscotch seems to
be a soothing flavor). Younger
children can be given 1 teaspoon of corn syrup periodically to soothe the
throat. Since swollen tonsils
can make some foods hard to swallow, provide your child with a soft diet
for a few days. Acetaminophen
or Ibuprofen may be given if your child has a fever over 102° F (39° C)
or a great deal of throat discomfort.
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Contagiousness:
Your child is no longer contagious after he or she has taken
the antibiotic for 24 hours. Therefore,
your child can return to school after one day if he or she is feeling
better.
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Throat
Cultures for the Family: Strep
throat can spread to other members of the family.
Any child or adult who lives in your home and has a fever, sore
throat, runny nose, headache, vomiting, or sores; doesn't want to eat; or
develops these symptoms in the next 5 days should be brought in for a
strep test. In most homes
we need to check only those who are sick.
(Exception: In families
where relatives have had rheumatic fever or frequent strep infections,
everyone should come in for a strep test.)
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Follow-Up
Visit: Repeat tests
are unnecessary if your child receives all of the antibiotic. |
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CALL
OUR OFFICE
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Immediately
if:
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Your child
develops drooling.
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Your child
develops great difficulty with swallowing.
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The fever lasts
for over 48 hours after starting antibiotics.
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You feel your
child is getting worse.
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