STREP EXPOSURE
Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR STREP CONTACTS WITH SYMPTOMS (Pending
a Throat Culture)
- Reassurance: A
throat culture isn't urgent. It could be a strep throat or just a viral
infection of the throat. A sore throat is commonly part of a cold.
Here are some ways to keep your child comfortable until you get a
throat culture.
-
Local Pain Relief:
-
Children over age 1 can sip warm chicken broth or apple juice.
-
Children over age 4 can suck on hard candy (e.g., butterscotch)
or lollipops.
-
Children over age 6 can also gargle warm water with a little
table salt or liquid antacid added.
-
Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen
for severe throat discomfort or fever above 102°F.
-
Soft Diet: Cold drinks and milk shakes are especially
good (reason: swollen tonsils can make some foods hard to swallow).
-
Contagiousness: Your child may have a Strep throat infection
and should avoid day care or school until the results of the throat culture
are known.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your
Doctor" symptoms.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR STREP CONTACTS WITH
NO SYMPTOMS
- Reassurance: Most
children exposed to someone with strep throat do not come down with it, especially
if exposure occurs outside the home. Throat cultures are unnecessary for
children without any symptoms.
-
Incubation Period: Most children who do catch strep develop
some symptoms 2 to 5 days after exposure.
-
Contagiousness: Your child does not need to miss any day
care or school.
-
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child develops any strep symptoms in the next 7 days.
Disclaimer: This
information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical
advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full
responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004
Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP
Reviewed 8/2004
Revised 7/2002
View Anatomic Index of Topics
|