Strep Throat Specialist
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Rise & Shine Pediatrics
Kalpana Kumari, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Care located in South Plainfield, NJ
If your child has a sore throat, pain when swallowing, and feels all-around awful, they may have strep throat. Fortunately, this common childhood condition is easy to diagnose and treat with the help of Kalpana Kumari, MD, FAAP, and the friendly and experienced pediatricians at Rise & Shine Pediatrics in South Plainfield, New Jersey. For fast strep throat relief, book an appointment online or by calling the office nearest you today. The practice is proud to serve the communities of Edison and Woodbridge.
Strep Q & A
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a highly contagious infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It's most common in school-age children and is often passed to others by air (sneezing or coughing) or by touch. Strep throat can cause very uncomfortable symptoms, with sore throat usually being the main indicator. But, it's important to know that not all sore throats are strep throat. Most sore throats are actually caused by viruses rather than bacteria.
If your child has strep throat, they may also complain of pain when they swallow. Your child's lymph nodes may be clearly swollen and tender to the touch. If you look at your child's open mouth, you're likely to see inflamed tonsils that may have white patches of pus. Strep throat can also cause fever.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
Your child's Rise & Shine Pediatrics doctor will discuss their symptoms, perform an exam, and then perform a rapid strep test. The test is very fast and easy, requiring just a quick swab of the back of your child's throat.
Rapid strep test results take only a few minutes. If your child has strep throat, their pediatrician can prescribe treatment right away. If the rapid strep test is negative, the sample goes to a laboratory for a more in-depth test called a throat culture to narrow down the cause of your child's symptoms.
What is the fastest way to clear up strep throat?
The Rise & Shine Pediatrics team understands that quick relief is crucial when your child's feeling sick, so they typically prescribe powerful antibiotics to clear the infection rapidly.
Your child's pediatrician will advise you about when they can return to school. Usually, after a full day of antibiotics, they're no longer contagious.
Even though your child will start feeling better after beginning treatment, remember that the bacteria isn't completely gone until they finish the whole course of antibiotics. To keep the strep throat from returning, make sure your child takes all of the antibiotics prescribed.
Dealing with strep-related stress in your home? Get the help your child needs to feel better now by calling Rise & Shine Pediatrics or making an appointment online.
