Strep Throat Exposure
Strep Throat Exposure
Does this describe your child's symptoms? |
Definition
Other Types of Contact:
Return to School
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If not, see these topics
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When to Call Your Doctor |
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If |
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Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If |
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Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If |
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Parent Care at Home If |
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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR STREP CONTACTS |
Treatment for 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.
Sore Throat Relief:
Children over age 1 can sip warm chicken broth, apple juice or other warm fluid.
Children over age 6 can suck on hard candy (e.g., butterscotch) or lollipops.
Children over age 8 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 (39° C).
Soft Diet: Cold drinks and milk shakes are especially helpful. (Reason: Swollen tonsils can make some foods hard to swallow).
Contagiousness: Your child may have a Strep throat infection and should avoid child care or school until the results of the throat culture are known.
Call Your Doctor If:
Your child becomes worse
Treatment for Contacts WITHOUT 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 daycare or school.
Call Your Doctor If:
Your child develops any strep symptoms in the next 7 days
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Updated:  
March 22, 2017