Key points about strep throat in children and young people
- strep throat is common in tamariki and rangatahi
- Streptococcus bacteria cause strep throat
- it's important to treat strep throat with antibiotics to prevent complications
- Māori and Pasifika children are at greatest risk of developing complications from strep throat like rheumatic fever
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It causes pain and inflammation of the throat and tonsils. It's important to treat strep throat with antibiotics to prevent complications.
An illustration comparing a normal throat with a throat affected by strep throat.
Source: KidsHealth
transcribeTranscript
The illustration shows a child’s upper body wearing a white singlet with a circular ‘KH’ logo on the chest. A black circle highlights the mouth and throat area.
Two magnified circles are connected by dotted lines to show close-up views of the throat:
- The first circle is labelled Normal. Inside is a healthy throat, which appears pink with no swelling or patches.
- The second circle is labelled Strep throat. Inside is a throat that looks red and inflamed. The tonsils are swollen with multiple white patches. At the bottom, text reads: Strep throat – Painful, inflamed throat caused by group A strep bacteria.
At the top right is the KidsHealth logo with the website: kidshealth.org.nz
Causes of strep throat
Streptococcus bacteria, commonly called group A Streptococcus, cause strep throat. This bacteria spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and touching contaminated surfaces.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat
Symptoms of strep throat include:
- a sore throat
- pain when swallowing
- red and swollen tonsils - sometimes with white patches on them
- swollen glands around the neck
- fever
Some tamariki may also experience:
- headache
- tummy pain
- feeling sick and vomiting
- rash
What to do if your child has a sore throat
If your child complains of a sore throat you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or take them to see a health professional. A health professional can examine your child and test for strep throat.
It is important that all Māori and Pasifika children with a sore throat see a health professional. They are at greatest risk of developing complications from strep throat like rheumatic fever.
Practice nurse Juanita To'o tells us what happens when you take a child to the sore throat clinic, and why it's important to take the full course of any antibiotics. A video produced as part of the 'Stop sore throats hurting hearts' programme - New Zealand’s cross government prevention programme to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever.
Source: Ministry of Health
Healthline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. Call Healthline if you need advice about a child of any age who is unwell, hurt, or has any symptoms of sickness. It's free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone.
Sore Throat & Rheumatic Fever Videos
Testing for strep throat
A health professional may swab your child's throat to test for strep throat. The health professional will usually send the swab to the lab for testing. It may take a few days to find out if there is strep bacteria on the swab. Your health professional may start antibiotics straight away while waiting for the test result.
Your health professional may test other people in your whānau or household to check for strep throat too.
Where to get your child's sore throat checked
Your health professional
Go to a healthcare provider - this may be your local medical practice, after hours medical centre or hospital emergency department.
Some pharmacies can do sore throat checks.
Your child's school
Your child's school may have a free sore throat checking programme. Contact the school to find out.
Other causes of sore throats in children
Viral infections are also a common cause of a sore throat. Viruses that cause colds, flu and glandular fever can all cause sore throats.
To learn more about sore throats see the sore throats page.
Sore Throats In Children & Young People
Treating strep throat
If your child tests positive for strep throat, they will need antibiotics for 10 days.
It’s important your child takes their antibiotics as prescribed, even if their symptoms improve. Taking the full course of antibiotics helps to prevent complications from happening.
Managing your child with strep throat
Pain relief medicine
Paracetamol
If your child has pain, you can give paracetamol to make them more comfortable. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.
Other medicine
Your health professional may give your child ibuprofen (such as Nurofen or Fenpaed). You can also buy it at the pharmacy. In both cases, follow the dosage instructions carefully. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.
Never give aspirin
Never give your child aspirin, as this may increase the risk of Reye syndrome. This is a rare and serious illness.
Encourage your child to rest
Your child may feel tired and low in energy when they are unwell. Encourage them to rest. Keep your child home from preschool or school until 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
Give plenty of fluids
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Offer small, frequent sips of water. Your child may prefer cool liquids or ice blocks. Warm liquids like home-made honey and lemon drinks may also help soothe a sore throat. Pēpi should be at least 12 months old before they have honey.
Offer soft foods
Certain types of foods may be uncomfortable for your child to eat. Offer your child soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as yoghurt or smoothies.
Possible complications from strep throat
With the right treatment, most tamariki and rangatahi with strep throat get completely better. Complications can happen after a strep throat infection. These include:
- rheumatic fever
- scarlet fever
- poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN)
- sinus and ear infections
- abscesses
Rheumatic fever
Aotearoa New Zealand has very high numbers of whānau affected by rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is a serious illness. It can cause damage to your child's heart as well as swelling and pain in their joints.
Rheumatic Fever In Children & Young People
Scarlet fever
A throat or skin infection caused by group A strep can sometimes lead to scarlet fever. The main symptom is a bumpy red rash that can spread across the whole body.
Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN)
PSGN is a kidney disease. It can happen 10 to 14 days after a throat or skin infection caused by group A strep. The main symptoms are dark or brown wee, swollen ankles and puffy eyes.
Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis (PSGN)
Sinus and ear infections
Sinus and ear infections can develop after having strep throat. Symptoms of an ear infection include ear pain and fever. Symptoms of a sinus infection include facial pain, headache and thick green snot.
Abscesses
An abscess is a pocket of pus that can collect around the tonsils. It can cause severe throat pain, pain when swallowing, and difficulty swallowing saliva.
Can strep throat come back?
If your child takes all their antibiotics, strep throat usually gets completely better. But, it's still possible to catch strep throat if your child comes into contact with the bacteria again.
Acknowledgements
Illustrations by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
