Strep is a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus.
Strep symptoms can include a severe sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, inflamed and red tonsils, tiny red spots or white patches on the back of the palate and tonsils, fever (greater than 101 degrees F), headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches and a rash.
Strep throat is diagnosed by swabbing the tonsils to test for the group A streptococcus bacteria. If the test is positive, your child’s pediatrician will prescribe antibiotics. Be sure to administer your child’s antibiotics for the number of days instructed by your health care provider, even if she seems like she’s made a full recovery. While Strep is very easy to treat, if left untreated, the Strep infection can cause serious complications.