Posts Tagged ‘Strep Throat’

Strep Throat Symptoms in Babies

Here you can read more about strep throat symptoms in babies. Strep throat is caused by bacteria called streptococcus bacteria. It is not too dangerous, but it should be treated with the right medications. If you start treating it in time, you will avoid complications and the treatment will last shorter. Therefore, you must know how to recognize strep throat symptoms. In older children, it is much easier to notice the symptoms of strep throat. You child will probably start complaining about the throat and you will see other symptoms, too.

Strep throat is commonly seen in schoolchildren. This infection spreads by close physical contact, so schoolchildren are at higher risk. They spend a lot of time with other kids and they are not always careful about their hands hygiene. Strep throat can also spread by exchanging school items, like books, pencils and other things.

Babies are not at very high risk of getting strep throat. However, if this happens, you need to know what to do. Babies cannot tell you that something is wrong. That is why you need to learn how to recognize the symptoms of strep throat in your baby.

Strep Throat Symptoms in Babies

Generally, strep throat symptoms start one or two days after the infection has taken place. Sore throat is one of the first symptoms. The throat inflammation will occur and a child will have difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of strep throat in adults usually include fever and swollen glands on the neck. Children can experience nausea, vomiting, chills, muscle pain, abdominal pain and skin rashes.

As we said, strep throat is not very common in babies. However, in case your baby gets infected, the symptoms will include low fever, runny nose, appetite loss, and sores around the nostrils.

If you see any of these symptoms in your baby, take him/her to your doctor. He will examine the baby and see whether it is strep throat or something else. Your doctor can use tests that are done in just fifteen minutes, so you won’t have to wait for the results.

Strep throat treatment consists of antibiotics. It lasts for a week or so, but your doctor can make some adjustments, depending on other factors. Strep throat treatment should be started as soon as possible. That way, you will avoid complications and the infection will be gone in a week or two. If left untreated, strep throat can cause rheumatic fever and kidney problems.