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Strep Throat Exposure

Strep Throat Exposure  
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  Does this describe your child's symptoms?
 
Definition
  • Exposure to someone with a strep throat infection
  • Also called close contact
  • Living in the same house as someone (sibling, parent, or other household member) who has a throat culture or rapid-strep test that is positive for strep throat.
  • Kissing relationship with someone (boyfriend, girlfriend) who has a throat culture or rapid-strep test that is positive for strep throat.  For this to be relevant, the last close contact to the infected person should be within 10 days of onset of symptoms in exposed child.  

Other Types of Contact:

  • Limited contact with strep: Exposed to someone outside the home with a positive strep test (e.g., at school).
  • Sometimes the contact is with a person who was treated for clinical symptoms of a strep infection without any culture or testing.
  • If the contact was with someone taking antibiotics for over 24 hours, they are not contagious.
  • Throat cultures and rapid strep tests aren't urgent. Most can be done in your doctor's office.

Return to School

  • If your child doesn't have any symptoms, he does not need to miss any child care or school.
  • If your child has symptoms compatible with strep throat, he should avoid child care or school until results of a throat culture are known.
 If not, see these topics
  • Sore throat and no known Strep throat exposure, see SORE THROAT
  • Sore throat and Strep throat exposure over 10 days ago, see SORE THROAT
  When to Call Your Doctor
  Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
  • Your child looks or acts very sick
  • Great difficulty swallowing fluids or saliva
  • Difficulty breathing or working hard to breathe
  • Fever over 104° F (40° C) and not improved 2 hours after fever medicine
  • Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, no tears with crying and no urine in more than 8 hours)
  • You think your child needs to be seen urgently (Note: a throat culture or rapid strep test alone is not urgent)
  Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
  • You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently (OR needs a throat culture)
  • Sore throat pain is severe and not improved 2 hours after taking ibuprofen
  • Age under 1 year old
  • Earache or sinus pain/pressure also present
  • Child with mild symptoms compatible with strep throat (e.g., sore throat, cries during feedings, puts fingers in mouth, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, fever)
  Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
  • You have other questions or concerns
  Parent Care at Home If
  • Strep contact but no symptoms AND you don't think your child needs to be seen
  HOME CARE ADVICE FOR STREP CONTACTS
Treatment for Contacts WITH Symptoms (Pending A Throat Culture)
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen for severe throat discomfort or fever above 102° F (39° C).
  4. Soft Diet: Cold drinks and milk shakes are especially helpful. (Reason: Swollen tonsils can make some foods hard to swallow).
  5. 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.
  6. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Contacts WITHOUT Symptoms

  1. 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.
  2. Incubation Period: Most children who do catch strep develop some symptoms 2 to 5 days after exposure.
  3. Contagiousness: Your child does not need to miss any daycare or school.
  4. 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.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 9/15/2011

Last Revised: 8/12/2011

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker

Copyright 1994-2012 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

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