I’m pretty sure my 4 year old had strep A

[Londonnightbus]

…but I didn’t realise.

It was about a month ago, before all the media panic and he had a sore throat, a sore tongue and was unwell. He had a slightly raised temperature and was off his food saying his mouth was sore.
A few days later he came out in a rash around his mouth. I took him to the GP and was told viral. It seemed to clear up on its own, but took several weeks.

Now I’m slightly concerned as I didn’t get antibiotics for him as I didn’t know what it was at the time. He’s still not right now, tires easily and still full of snot and very congested.

If it was strep A, what are the chances of it causing long term effects because he wasn’t treated with antibiotics?

Most children don’t need or get antibiotics. If he still needs them then get them now.

All the ‘strep’ symptoms are gone though and it’s just a snotty nose now. So I don’t think they’ll give me antibiotics for that, will they?

Not now, no.

My 10 year old DD had a nasty case of tonsillitis at half term so probably had strep A then & had immediate antibiotics for it as her throat was white & horrible.

It’s best not to give antibiotics unless really nescessary due to antibiotic resistance

And actually the idea to give mass antibiotics to all kids regardless is a REALLY bad one

Sounds like he may have had SF & impetigo. My sons had both in the last few months

We’re the same (minus the rash!) No antibiotics as it seemed to clear in a couple of days but it has really triggered my anxiety.

My son had a blood test recently that showed he had antibodies for rheumatic fever which apparently is a consequence of strep A - I had not known either. I am guessing some people’s bodies just deal with it

One of mine had a sore throat, swollen glands, headache, temp and strange white blotches on their tonsils a few weeks ago. I remember thinking how odd it was - usually when she gets tonsillitis it is one large spot of pus on each tonsil but this was multiple small spots on each. I saw a pic in the paper this week that looked the same, of a kid who had strep A. So I guess that's what she had! Too late now 🤔

Why on earth would they need antibiotics retrospectively for something they have recovered naturally from?

If it was strep A, what are the chances of it causing long term effects because he wasn’t treated with antibiotics?

What long-term effects do you imagine there would be?

Antibiotics prevent the illness being spread, and aid recovery.

If your DS recovered himself, that's fine.

I think you might be getting confused with iGas (the invasive infection that has led to some deaths & being written about in the media. It's still v rare).

Same here, daughter clearly had it a few weeks ago (I realise now) but I thought it was a reaction to washing powder or similar at the time. Haven't taken any retrospective action

No, you're fine. The antibiotics are to stop
It getting bad, which luckily for you it didn't. I reck my 2 had it too - no rash but awful
Headaches complaining of sore mouths and throats etc

Most people do not need antibiotics for strep a, it's mild in most cases

Most people can recover from strep A without antibiotics. It’s very common.

Most likely kids get some form of strep A every single winter, be it impetigo, scarlet fever, or a bog standard cold. If they recovered naturally and feel well then there’s no need to worry now.

And especially if he recovered without antibiotics- he will then have some immunity presumably.
also like poster above, he maybe had some strep a infection. Not Invasive strep

Bloody hell, the media has done quite a number on a lot of parents. What on earth is concerning you about a mild illness your child had weeks ago and has fully recovered from?

I feel the same. About two weeks ago she had a good few days where she was sleeping a lot later in the mornings and was too ill to go into nursery. Had a temp and needed Calpol for a few days, kept asking for water and drinks and needed an afternoon rest. We rode it out and she was fine after a few days.

Then recently a mother in her preschool class had their child diagnosed with strep A and she described the symptoms he was presenting with and it sounded identical to how my DD had been.

Strep A is a common infection that may result in tonsillitis, impetigo & scarlet fever. Children in particular get it all the time & illnesses are mild.

It can rarely develop into iGas (invasive strep a infection) which is the infection we are hearing about in the news which sadly resulted in a number of deaths.

If your child was sick and recovered easily, there's nothing to worry about.