This content was originally produced for audio. Certain elements, such as tone, sound effects, and music, may not fully capture the intended experience in textual representation. Therefore, the following transcription may have been modified for clarity. We recognize not everyone can access the audio podcast. However, for those who can, we encourage subscribing and listening to the original content for a more engaging and immersive experience.
All thoughts and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views held by the institutions with which they are affiliated.
Why Is Strep Throat Common in Kids?
Strep throat, it's one of those things parents immediately think their kid has when their kid says they have a sore throat and it hurts to swallow. Strep is most common in kids ages 5 to 15, mainly because they are in school and they tend to share things that go in their mouths, like food and drinks. It usually takes about two to five days after someone has been exposed to strep to develop symptoms.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
Kids who have strep often have more than just throat pain. They'll also have red spots on the back of their throat, and that's called palatal petechiae. Their tonsils are usually red and can have a white coating called exudate. Their tonsillar lymph nodes are swollen too. And they can also have a stomachache or a rash.
Scarlet Fever
If they have a rash that looks like a sunburn over their body and the rash feels like sandpaper, that's when strep throat becomes scarlet fever. Parents often get super concerned when they hear scarlet fever because it brings up when strep wasn't treated and patients were at risk for scary things like rheumatic fever. But it's basically a strep throat with a rash and treated the same way.
When Should Your Child Get Tested for Strep Throat?
Since we have been able to test for strep, the incidence of rheumatic fever has gone way down. Your child's doctor, unfortunately, can't just look at a throat and say definitively if a child has strep. Adenovirus can present the same way, for example, and so can Epstein-Barr virus, which is mononucleosis or mono.
The only way a provider can tell if your child has strep is to do a strep test. So if your child has a sore throat, any of those other findings, a few other viral symptoms, like a cough or runny nose, and you think your child might have strep, it's best to take them to their doctor for a strep test. The sooner your child is tested and treated, if they do have strep, the faster they will get better and the lower the risk of spreading it to others.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy and Happy
Latest trends and issues in children's health on the Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner
Learn More From Our Specialists
The Poop on Poop: What Parents Need to Know About Constipation in Kids
Constipation is one of the most common concerns parents bring to their pediatrician. Learn about the causes of constipation in kids and practical tips to help your child have softer, more comfortable bowel movements.
Managing Asthma in Children
Asthma can be a daunting diagnosis for parents, but it can be managed effectively with the right knowledge and tools. Learn how to recognize asthma symptoms, the importance of treatment adherence, and strategies to prevent exacerbations.
How to Tell Common Childhood Rashes Apart
Measles is just one of many childhood rashes that can look alarming. Learn about the most common viral rashes in kids—from measles and chickenpox to scarlet fever, roseola, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Chicken Pox or Something Else?
When a child develops an itchy rash, many parents immediately worry about chickenpox. Learn how to tell when a rash might not be chicken pox, what conditions commonly mimic it, and when to call your child's pediatrician.
Why Young Children Get Sick More Often and What Parents Can Do
Young children get sick far more often than adults, and it is completely normal. Learn why kids get sick so often, what parents can expect during peak illness seasons, and which treatments and medications are safe to use at home.
Preventing and Treating Sunburns in Kids
Sunburns are not just uncomfortable—they are a sign of real skin damage that starts in childhood and can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. If your child already has a burn, learn the safest, most effective ways to treat it—and what to avoid.
