Strep Throat Specialist
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New Beginnings Pediatrics
Pediatrics located in Glendale, AZ
Strep throat is responsible for nearly one-third of all sore throats in kids. If your child complains of a sore throat and other symptoms like trouble swallowing, you should visit pediatrician Aashima Bansal, MD, and the team at New Beginnings Pediatrics in Glendale, Arizona, to get a diagnosis. Dr. Bansal frequently treats strep throat and can give your child the medications they need to stop the illness from spreading it to their friends. To schedule a rapid strep test, call New Beginnings Pediatrics, or book an appointment online today.
Strep Throat Q & A
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a common illness that comes from streptococcus bacteria. This bacteria spreads rapidly through coughing, sneezing, and shaking hands, and you can lower your child’s chances of getting it by teaching them to wash their hands regularly throughout the day.
Kids get strep throat more often than adults because of their close contact during play and at school. As soon as your child shows or complains of symptoms consistent with strep throat, you should book a sick visit at New Beginnings Pediatrics. An early diagnosis not only slows the spread but can also prevent more complex issues from the infection like rheumatic fever.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
As you probably already know, the main symptom of strep throat is a sore throat. However, a sore throat can also come from certain viral infections that need entirely different treatment.
Aside from a sore throat, you should look out for these strep throat symptoms:
- Fever
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Swollen tonsils
- Red or white patches at the back of the throat
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble swallowing
- Nausea and stomach pain
Since symptoms like these can come from other common childhood illnesses, you should come in for a diagnosis to know for sure whether or not your child has strep throat if they’re not feeling well.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
To conclusively diagnose your child with strep throat or rule it out, Dr. Bansal uses a rapid strep test in her office. She uses a long cotton swab to take a fluid sample from the back of your child’s throat. The results are ready within minutes. If the test is negative, she sends the sample to a lab for further testing.
How is strep throat treated?
Since strep throat comes from bacteria, you can treat it with a round of antibiotics. Usually, Dr. Bansal prescribes a 7-10-day antibiotic cycle for children with strep throat.
You should make sure your child completes the cycle and doesn’t stop taking the antibiotics even if they rapidly lose the symptoms. During this time, your child must also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids that are not too acidic. Avoid orange juice, lemonade, and other citrus drinks.
Dr. Bansal tells you when it’s safe for your child to return to school and other social activities, which is usually around 24 hours after their first antibiotic dose.
To schedule a sick visit for a potential case of strep throat, call New Beginnings Pediatrics or book online today.
