Strep throat is on the rise...

Strep throat is a sore throat that is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus. Strep throat is contagious and can be spread by breathing in droplets from an infected person’s coughs and sneezes.  Close contact with other people, such as at school, makes it easy to pass on strep throat and can spread through shared food or drinks.

Symptoms of strep throat can include: 

•  a painful or scratchy throat, especially when you swallow 

•  difficulty swallowing 

•  redness at the back of your mouth 

• fever 

• bad breath 

• the glands in your neck are swollen or your tonsils are large and covered in white stuff 

• headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting 

  
  

How is strep throat treated?  Every time your child has a sore throat, please get their throat checked straight away. This could be by your doctor or nurse. Don’t wait to see if your child’s throat gets better. Strep throat needs to be treated immediately. Treating sore throats early can stop rheumatic fever from developing. Ask your children to tell you when they have a sore throat so they can be checked. Your child may get a lot of sore throats but you need to get it checked every time and straight away. 

How can I prevent strep throat spreading? Do the following to help stop infections spreading or coming back: 

•  cough or sneeze into your elbow/sleeve, or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin. 

• don’t share eating or drinking utensils (eg, cups or knives and forks). 

• try to create space between your children when they sleep, to limit the chance of germs being spread through coughs and sneezes.