Of roughly 11 million cases of strep throat in the United States annually, children account for the vast majority.
Antibiotic therapy is key to treating and eliminating strep infections, but for some kids, infections return repeatedly. Dr. Sindu Pillai sees this frequently at her Murrieta, California, practice.
That’s why she and her team offer on-site lab testing and targeted therapy for children with recurrent strep throat, eradicating the underlying infection while providing symptom relief.
If your child has repeated strep throat infections, here’s what you need to know about possible causes and how we can help.
Also called streptococcal pharyngitis, strep throat is an infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a group A streptococcus. These bacteria colonize the throat and tonsil area, causing a severe sore throat that’s often accompanied by swelling, fever, and pain when swallowing.
Strep throat spreads easily from one person to another through airborne droplets emitted when sneezing, coughing, or even speaking. You can also pick up strep germs by touching a contaminated surface.
While strep throat can affect anyone of any age, it’s very common among kids who tend to be in close contact with others in school, daycare, or extracurricular activities like sports and clubs. Strep throat infections are usually easily treatable with antibiotics — but early detection is important for preventing complications such as ear and sinus infections and other problems.
While most infections clear up after a full course of antibiotics, some kids experience recurrent infections.
One common reason for recurrence is not completing the initial treatment. Bacterial infections like strep throat usually respond very well to antibiotics. In fact, many people feel better even before they finish their prescribed dose.
Even if your child feels well, some bacteria may still be present. If your child stops taking the antibiotics, those remaining bacteria can grow and multiply, resulting in an ongoing infection. Although you might think it’s a brand new infection, it’s a continuation of your child’s original infection that was never completely cured.
Some children are more prone to infections because their immune systems are weakened, making reinfection more likely or making the initial infection harder to treat. Still others have structural issues, like enlarged tonsils or sinus problems, that make it easier for bacteria to hide and multiply.
Kids are routinely exposed to bacteria at school, during play, and in other day-to-day situations and environments, making reinfection more likely. Many children don’t wash their hands regularly, or they may cough or sneeze in their hands or into the air, increasing the risk of spreading the infection to others.
If you notice symptoms of strep throat returning, your first step should be to call our office to schedule a sick visit and have your child evaluated. Depending on their needs, Dr. Pillai may prescribe the same antibiotic or a different antibiotic that might be more effective.
During your child’s visit, Dr. Pillai performs a throat culture, using a long swab to obtain a sample of fluid from your child’s throat. The fluid is cultured in a lab and evaluated to identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection.
Be sure your child takes the antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Because strep throat is highly contagious, your child should stay home from school and other activities until they’re no longer infectious.
In addition to medication, you can help your child learn skills to prevent strep throat and other infections in the future. Teach them to sneeze or cough into a tissue or into their elbow — not their hands — if a tissue isn’t available. Make sure they know to wash their hands regularly, especially before eating. Make hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes available in their backpack if the school allows it.
If you suspect that your child has a strep infection, don’t wait to schedule a sick visit to get a diagnosis and start treatment. To schedule an appointment, call our Murrieta, California, office at 951-338-6087 to book with Dr. Pillai, or click here to book online.
