ADHD gets in the way of learning by making your child fidgety, distracted, and chatty. You can help the school know what to do to help your child thrive and not disrupt class. Here’s what to tell them about your child’s ADHD.
Anyone can get strep throat, a common bacterial infection caused by a germ known as group A Streptococcus. However, it’s more likely to occur in children than in adults.
In fact, strep throat is most likely to develop in children ages 5-15. It only rarely occurs in children under age 3.
Strep throat is extremely common. In fact, strep bacteria are responsible for almost one-third of all sore throats.
Here are some insights from Dr. Umesh Kodu and his team at Penguin Pediatrics PLLC.
Infectious illnesses such as strep spread easily when many children are together in a confined space such as a school or daycare center.
The bacteria that cause strep spread through coughing and sneezing. When children breathe in airborne droplets expelled by someone who has strep, they may get sick, too.
Strep bacteria can also spread from person to person via shared eating utensils. Teach your children not to share straws, flatware, and glasses.
Washing hands is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs such as bacteria that cause strep throat. You can help your children avoid strep throat and other infectious illnesses by teaching them good handwashing habits.
Secondhand smoke irritates the throat and nasal passages and increases the risk of various types of respiratory infections, including strep throat. Keep your children away from secondhand smoke.
Strep throat can occur anytime. However, it’s more likely in winter and early spring, when children spend long periods of time together indoors.
Some signs and symptoms of strep throat include:
Although strep has common signs and symptoms, only a strep test can determine for sure whether your child has strep throat.
A simple, quick test known as a rapid strep test uses a swab to collect a sputum sample from your child’s throat. Results from a rapid strep test are available within a few minutes.
If your child has strep throat, prescription antibiotics can clear up the infection. Usually, antibiotics for strep throat begin to provide symptom relief within a day or two.
At Penguin Pediatrics PLLC in Ashburn and Stone Ridge, Virginia, we offer fast and accurate in-office strep throat testing.
If you suspect strep throat, your child should be seen and tested quickly. If left untreated, strep throat could lead to potentially serious complications, such as kidney inflammation, rheumatic fever, or heart damage. Call our office to book a sick child appointment or use our online scheduler.
You Might Also Enjoy...
ADHD gets in the way of learning by making your child fidgety, distracted, and chatty. You can help the school know what to do to help your child thrive and not disrupt class. Here’s what to tell them about your child’s ADHD.
Warts are harmless growths, but they can be unattractive or located in areas that are uncomfortable or even painful to your child. If your child has a wart, here’s what you can do.
Fluoride offers protection from tooth decay and makes your children’s teeth stronger. There’s lots of misinformation out there about fluoride and its safety. Here are some myths and facts that you need to know about this important tooth treatment.
One of the best things you can do for your child is to keep them up to date on all their vaccinations. Here’s why vaccinations are so important to your child’s long-term well-being.
It’s not just carelessness about brushing and flossing that causes tooth decay in children. Diet, family habits, and genetics all play a role in whether your child will end up with early cavities. Here are five major causes of tooth decay in kids.
Children are especially susceptible to developing warts. These skin growths are generally harmless but can be aesthetically displeasing and even painful. Here’s how to prevent warts from spreading and make the ones your child does have disappear.