Strep A - antibiotics

[TheWitchingHour]

DD recently had strepA. Since Tuesday I’ve been terribly unwell with fever, feels like I’m swallowing glass, and a red rash in my throat. My other DD is having the same symptoms. Took a home strep A test and it was positive for both of us. Seen GP today but she won’t give us any antibiotics, is this normal ?

Following, because I’ve recently had an experience where a junior doctor was reticent to give me antibiotics for strep throat but was overruled by a consultant. I thought the junior doc just needed educating/support, but maybe there is a reason we don’t know about.

There must be, she did say something about a shortage. So I was wondering if it was the norm now, when it was all over the news it was like GET ANTIBIOTICS IMMEDIATELY

Antibiotics for Strep A are given based on the FEVERPain or Centor score (that’s the NICE guidelines).

This will have informed the doctor’s decision but always worth having a look yourself for reassurance.

Should add Strep A in the form of a sore throat is usually something that resolves itself without complications. A few months ago, the spread was at a very high level which consequently lead to a higher level of complications which were putting huge pressure on the NHS so they were treating less conservatively than usual.

Thank you. This makes sense, I didn’t know too much about Strep A, I guess it’s the media scaring people to death again. I feel better about it now

Can only share my experience. We were given antibiotics immediately within 24hrs. I noticed the strep A rash in my throat, called docs and explained. I was asked to go to the surgery. Doc had quick look and said - yep thats strep and the abs were sent straight to the chemist for me and my DC (1yr old).

When my son and I had it (when cases were very high) he was given antibiotics but I wasn't. I was in a lot of pain but the GP just said it would get better on its own - and it did, within a couple of days. My son was better in hours, but his throat was almost closed so they really did have to get him better asap.

I’d insist on antibiotics. It’s Friday; if things turn bad then you’ll have a much harder time getting help, particularly as you yourself are ill, not just your children.

Invasive group A strep can kill adults too; it nearly did me.

I was told by two gp that antibiotics for strep a throat infections don’t prevent invasive group a strep anyway so you don’t need to take them just in case.

That’s very informative, thanks for that. Although my throat was very sore, swollen and purulent, I never actually got a fever, so that’s been helpful to explain, thanks