For the second winter in a row, my 5 year old has had multiple bouts with strep throat. In October, she was very ill with a high fever, sore throat which was beefy red with white patches, headache, vomiting, and rash. She was treated with Amoxicillin for 10 days.
Over the last month, she has had 4 episodes of vague, non-specific viral-like symptoms such as a headache, and tummy ache. Each episode has been accompanied by a low-grade temp lasting about 2 days. I checked her throat each time, and it never looked remarkable, nor did she complain of a sore throat.
Yesterday, after missing her 13th day of school, I took her to the ped, even though I was convinced that she had a viral illness. The nurse did a rapid strep, which I thought was overkill, but I said OK anyway. It was clearly positive, and my daughter is back on Amoxicillin.
My question is this: Does this sound like chronic colonization with strep? It concerns me that she has this without appearing to be very sick, and makes me wonder how many episodes of strep I have missed by chalking them up to a virus.
Should I request a culture when she finishes her current course of antibiotics? If she tests positive again this winter should I ask for a C&S? If she is a chronic carrier, what is the course of action?
I know I should have asked these questions yesterday, but my brain is usually about 10 minutes behind the times! Thanks.
time4mydream
35 Posts
no tics or tourettes here either