Streptococcal Infection (Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever)
Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Streptococcal Infection (Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever)
(Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever)
Streptococcal sore throat (strep throat) and a strep throat with a rash (scarlet fever) are common infections in children.
Cause
Streptococcus bacteria (Group A beta-hemolytic strep).
Symptoms
Strep throat - Starts suddenly with fever, red sore throat, and swollen glands. Headache may occur. Nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting may be more common in children.
Scarlet fever - A very fine raised rash (feels like sandpaper) is present. The rash blanches with pressure. The rash appears most often on the neck, chest, elbow, and groin, and in the inner thigh and folds of the armpit. Later on, there may be peeling of the skin on the fingertips and toes.
These illnesses are usually not serious; however, rare problems such as rheumatic fever (which can damage heart valves) or kidney disease may develop if children do not receive proper antibiotic treatment.
Spread
Coughing or sneezing tiny droplets into the air and another person breathes them in.
Incubation
It usually takes 2 to 5 days from the time a person is exposed until symptoms start.
Contagious Period
Until 12 hours after antibiotic treatment begins.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins and the child is without fever.
Children without symptoms, regardless of a positive throat culture, do not need to be excluded from child care or school. Persons who have strep bacteria in their throats and do not have any symptoms (carriers) appear to be at little risk of spreading infection to those who live, go to child care or school, or work around them.
Check with your local environmental health department to see if people with skin lesions need to be excluded from food handling.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider. Strep may be identified in the throat either by using a rapid strep test, which can provide results the same day, or by throat culture.
Treatment
Oral or injectable antibiotics may be prescribed. Treatment may be dependent on how severe the infection is and will help prevent more serious illness such as rheumatic fever.
Prevention/Control
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after contact with secretions from the nose or mouth.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
- Recommend a new toothbrush for the person with strep after they are no longer contagious.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Strep Throat Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Strep Throat
Strep throat and a strep throat with a rash (scarlet fever) are common bacterial infections in children.
If you think your child has Strep Throat:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
Child Care and School:
Yes, until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins and fever is gone.Children who test positive for strep but do not show symptoms do not need to be excluded. They are unlikely to spread the infection to other people.
Symptoms
Strep throat - Your child may have a fever that starts suddenly, red sore throat, and swollen glands.
Headache may occur. Children may have stomach pain and vomiting.
Scarlet fever - Rarely, a very fine raised rash appears at the same time as the throat soreness. The rash feels like sandpaper. The rash is most often on the neck, chest, elbow, and groin and in the inner thigh and folds of the armpit. Later on, the skin on the fingertips and toes may peel.
If your child is infected, it may take 2 to 5 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By coughing or sneezing.
Contagious Period
Until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. A doctor may do a lab test and give antibiotics.
Prevention
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Never share drink containers and cups or silverware. Wash all dishes with hot soapy water between uses.
- Clean and disinfect any objects that come in contact with the nose or mouth (especially mouthed toys). Use a product that kills bacteria.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.