Strep Exposure

Definition

• Close contact with someone who has a Strep throat infection
• Close contact means living in the same house with the infected person. It also includes close physical contact such as having a kissing relationship.

Exposure (Close Contact)

• Household Close Contact. Lives with a person whose Strep test was positive. This can be a sibling, parent, or other household member.
• Kissing relationship with someone (boyfriend, girlfriend) who has a positive Strep test.
• Close contact should be within 10 days of onset of symptoms in exposed child. Reason: Time from contact to Strep symptoms usually is 2 to 5 days.

Other Types of Contact

• Limited contact with Strep. Contact with someone outside the home with a positive Strep test. This type of contact occurs at school.
• Sometimes, the contact is with someone who was treated for Strep without testing.
• Children taking antibiotics for over 12 hours and without fever do not spread Strep to others.
• Throat cultures and rapid Strep tests aren't urgent. Most can be done in your doctor's office.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

• Pain, discomfort or raw feeling of the throat
• Throat pain is made worse when swallows
• Children less than 2 years of age usually can't complain about a sore throat. A young child who does not want favorite foods may have a sore throat. They may also start to cry during feedings.
• Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
• Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are not seen with Strep throat. These symptoms point more to a viral cause.
• Scarlet fever rash (fine, red, sandpaper-like rash) is highly suggestive of Strep throat.
• If you look at the throat with a light, it will be bright red. The tonsil will be red and swollen, often covered with pus.
• Peak age: 5 to 15 years old. Not common under 2 years old unless sibling has Strep.

Cause

• Group A Strep is the only common bacterial cause of a throat infection. (called Strep pharyngitis).
• It accounts for 20% of sore throats with fever.
• Any infection of the throat usually also involves the tonsils. (called Strep tonsillitis)