Test Your Knowledge

Signs and symptoms of strep throat usually appear within five days of being exposed to the bacteria that causes strep throat. However, it may be difficult to know whether a person is infected since some people are carriers – they carry the bacteria, yet never display any symptoms of infection themselves. When strep throat symptoms recur in a child, it may indicate an untreated bacterial infection or recurring contact with a carrier (e.g., at home, school, in daycare settings).

Parents who suspect their child has strep throat should seek immediate medical attention, since their child will need to be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of strep throat are generally more severe and begin more suddenly than viral infections of the throat (e.g., a cold, the flu). In addition, prolonged or high fever, breathing problems or significant difficulty swallowing also indicate a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Common symptoms of strep throat in children age 4 years and older include:

• Sore throat
  
• Sudden, high fever (higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.9 degrees Celsius)
  
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
  
• Red, swollen tonsils (tissue located inside the mouth, at either side of the throat)
  
• White spots or coating of the tonsils (may also be yellow or gray in color)
  
• Abdominal pain
  
• Headache
  
• Difficulty swallowing
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Nausea and vomiting

Symptoms may vary when strep throat occurs in young children. Signs of strep throat in infants include:

• Low-grade fever (under 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.9 degrees Celsius)
  
• Thick and bloody nasal discharge

Signs of strep throat in toddlers include:

• Low-grade fever (under 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.9 degrees Celsius)
  
• Thick and bloody nasal discharge
  
• Increased irritability
  
• Sleeplessness
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Swollen neck glands

The presence of any of the following may indicate a child has a viral infection, and NOT strep throat:

• Runny nose
  
• Coughing
  
• Hoarseness
  
• Red eyes

If a child develops a skin rash shortly (often 24 to 48 hours) after the strep throat symptoms begin, it may indicate scarlet fever. A rash accompanied by swelling of the joints or shortness of breath after a strep infection, may indicate rheumatic fever (inflammatory complication of strep throat that can result in heart problems). Parents who notice these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention for their child.