
Is your infant suffering from strep throat? Is strep throat in infants normal, or should you be worried? How common is it for an infant to have strep throat? Are you looking for the answers to all these questions! Read this article and get all the answers right here…
An infant is more prone to getting infections by the surrounding environment, as their body is more sensitive as compared to older children. Which is why, it is important to be very careful when it comes to taking care of an infant. As far as strep throats in infants is concerned, it is not something that is very common. However, although rarely, they can get infected and suffer from this condition. Strep throat is caused by a bacterium named Group A Streptococcus.
So if the infant has been in contact with a person carrying this bacterium, then the infection can pass on to the infant. The chances for the infection are extremely rare, because infants still have the antibodies in them which they get before birth. Another thing that keeps an infant safe from these infections is the fact that they are breastfeeding, which also supplies a lot of antibodies to them. But no matter what, there have been reported cases wherein infants have suffered from strep throat through bacterium transmission.
Symptoms of Strep Throat in Infants
There are (less) chances that your baby will catch the infection of someone else in the family, be it the parents, relatives or an older sibling. If the baby is in contact with their respiratory secretion, then there are chances that he or she will show the signs and symptoms of strep throat within 2 – 5 days. These are mentioned as follows.
- Refusing to drink milk, be it from the bottle or breasts.
- Not being able to sleep properly
- Irritation and restlessness
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever, which is usually less than or equal to 101°F.
- Though not always, but at times there might also be a red rash on the legs, arms or the torso.
- Older than one year old infants may experience symptoms like congestion in the nose along with discharge. Sometimes there might also be swelling in the lymph glands situated in the neck.
Almost 15% of infants suffering from strep throat end up having a ear infection as well. If you can identify the aforementioned symptoms with those that your infant is experiencing, or if you have the slightest doubt that your baby might not be well, then get in touch with your healthcare specialist as soon as possible, as an untreated strep throat in an infant can lead to elevated infection and further complications.
Treatment for Strep Throat in Infants
Once you visit your healthcare specialist, you must inform him or her about the symptoms that your baby has been experiencing. As an additional information, you can also inform your doctor if anyone in the family has been suffering from strep throat. Your doctor will swab the throat of the baby and collect the fluid at the back of the throat and check for the presence of the strep bacterium.
Like any other infectious disease and condition, even strep throat in infants is treated by using antibiotics. Drugs like penicillin and amoxicillin are used as either pills or in the form of shots. Penicillin (in the form of pills) will be prescribed for 10 days. Although, it becomes easier for infants to swallow amoxicillin in liquid form. Once your baby has been on antibiotics for 24 hours, then the infection ceases to becomes contagious.
Every mother can immediately make out if her baby is not well. Therefore, one must take each and every possible precaution to prevent the baby from getting this infection. One simple and effective way to do this is to always wash your hands and then carry the baby. If there is anyone at home who is not well, that person should be kept away from the baby until he or she recovers fully… and most importantly, always call a doctor in case your baby seems unwell. Take care.