Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus
This infection is most common in children 3 to 15 year olds
Very uncommon under the age of 2
Group A Strep is highly contagious
Most often spread through respiratory droplets, when an infected person coughs, sneezes or contaminates a surface that someone else touches later.
Strep is also spread when sharing food or drinks.
If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, we recommend steps to prevent spreading the infection to other people, as well as reinfecting the same person after they've been treated with antibiotics.
How to Prevent Infecting Other People
Complete the full course of antibiotics
Even if your child feels better after a few days, please finish the entire course (usually 10 days).
Stopping early can allow the infection to return and spread to deeper parts of the throat and neck.
These infections can be worse than before and very dangerous
Keep your child home from school/daycare until he/she:
has gone 24 hours without a true fever (100.4+)for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotics
has been on the antibiotics for at least 24 hours
is feeling well enough to return
Frequent handwashing with soap and water
especially before meals
especially after coughing or sneezing
Avoid sharing cups, utensils, plates, or food with the sick child
Avoid sharing towels or washcloths with the sick child
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
Dispose of used tissues immediately
How to Prevent Reinfecting the Same Person
Complete the full course of antibiotics, usually 10 days (see previous section)
Practice good hand hygiene at school and at home
After 48 hours of antibiotics:
change out all toothbrushes and toothpaste
clean/sanitize their water glasses and water bottles
Don’t forget rogue water bottles (kept in the car or at school) that could reinfect them
Despite best efforts, reinfection can still happen
If the strep throat symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours and then return, please reach out to MP to schedule a sick visit
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