?strep throat/SF what would you do if child had these symptoms?

[Hollyhead]

Got a GP call later today so I am seeking more expert help, but I don’t know whether my 8 year old needs ABX or not. He was fine Sunday, yesterday he had a temperature (although not what I’d describe as a raging one - was between 38-38.5 and reduced easily with calpol), he said he felt fluey, headache etc and was sick once. Today he’s much better temperature gone, but has a sore throat. I really don’t want him to have ABX unnecessarily, due to the damage it does to the micro biome but equally due to media scaremongering my head is full of what ifs. DH had a 24 hour fluey thing with an upset stomach on Monday so i’m in two minds whether it’s just a bug or something more sinister. What would you do/be thinking?

Check his throat and if there are white spots on it he definitely needs ABX.

If no white spots he still might need them- keep a careful eye on him and talk to the GP.

Gp needs to see him and assess
Nobody on here can do that

If the temperature has gone and he is fairly well in himself, that would indicate his body is 'winning' against the infection and so he doesn't need extra medication. If the temperature returns or he takes a turn for the worse, see the GP.

Personally i would give antibiotics
As a ‘one off’ it isnt going to hurt him

GP not concerned but has swabbed for reassurance and has said to call again if he went downhill again. Feel reassured for now.

Ds with similar symptoms. GP did a flow chart checklist and px abx for him as a precaution. Of course I couldn't get the penicillin prescribed so it had to be changed to amoxicillin which is avaliable.

If you find any white patches on the tonsils he needs antibiotics urgently, don’t let any doctor fob you off. I had tonsillitis a lot as a child and it always needed penicillin to clear it up because it was always bacterial (the white patches are the tell tale sign). I once left it too long without as a teenager and it resulted in quinsy which was agonising, life threatening and required a week in hospital. So yeah, don’t fret about using antibiotics.