Advice for Parents and Carers - Group A Strep in Children
Advice from Kelsall Medical Centre
There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, coughs and colds to circulate, especially over winter. These usually get better without needing any special medical treatment or medicine. However, children can occasionally develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.
One of these bacteria is called Group A Strep (GAS), it’s very common, is not new and can be treated, responding well to antibiotics. It has been in the news over the last few days as it has been found in some children who have become very sick, very quickly. Fortunately, this is still very rare.
Most children recover well after a mild illness. Your child may be poorly for a few days but will usually recover well. Antibiotics may help them recover quicker, but they are not always needed. There is more GAS around this winter than in recent years, causing a lot of children to be unwell. We think this is because there is much more mixing now and these bugs are new to many young children, so they are more likely to catch and spread them.
Signs that suggest your child might have Strep throat are:
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Fever within the last 24 hours
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White spots at the back of their throat (pus on their tonsils)
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Very large or red tonsils
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Sore (tender) lumps under their chin
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If they have become poorly quickly over the past couple of days
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No cough or runny nose
If you are concerned that your child might have these contact 111 or Kelsall Medical Centre.