Strep Throat Exposure
Definition
- Close contact with someone who has a Strep throat infection.
- Close contact means living in the same house with the infected person. It also includes close physical contact such as having a kissing relationship.
Exposure (Close Contact)
- Household Close Contact. Lives with a person whose Strep test was positive. This can be a sibling, parent, or other household member.
- Kissing relationship with someone (boyfriend, girlfriend) who has a positive Strep test.
- Close contact should be within 10 days of onset of symptoms in exposed child. Reason: Time from contact to Strep symptoms usually is 2 to 5 days.
Other Types of Contact
- Limited contact with Strep. Contact with someone outside the home with a positive Strep test. This type of contact occurs at school.
- Sometimes, the contact is with someone who was treated for Strep without testing.
- Children taking antibiotics for over 24 hours do not spread Strep to others.
- Throat cultures and rapid Strep tests aren't urgent. Most can be done in your doctor's office.
Return to School:
- If your child has no symptoms, he does not need to miss any school.
- If your child has symptoms, he needs to get a Strep test. He should not go to school until this is done. He can go to school if the Strep test is negative.
When to Call Us for Strep Throat Exposure
Call Us Now (night or day) If
| Call Us During Weekday Office Hours If
| Parent Care at Home If
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CARE ADVICE FOR STREP CONTACTS
Treatment for Contacts WITH Symptoms (Pending a Strep Test)
What You Should Know:- A Strep test is not urgent.
- It could be a Strep throat or just a viral infection of the throat.
- A sore throat is often part of a cold.
- Until you get a Strep test, here is some care advice that should help.
- Age over 1 year. Can sip warm fluids such as chicken broth or apple juice.
- Age over 6 years. Can also suck on hard candy or lollipops. Butterscotch seems to help.
- Age over 8 years. Can also gargle. Use warm water with a little table salt added. A liquid antacid can be added instead of salt. Use Mylanta or the store brand. No prescription is needed.
- Medicated throat sprays or lozenges are generally not helpful.
- To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Use as needed. See Dose Table.