Most sore throats are caused by viruses but are often indistinguishable from strep. Strep throat must be adequately treated with antibiotics to help prevent rare complications such as rheumatic fever. If your child has a persistent or severe sore throat, especially if it is accompanied by fatigue, headache, stomach ache or fever, a throat culture should be performed in our lab. If fever is high, there is extreme pain, difficulty in opening the mouth, inability to swallow, difficulty breathing, or drooling, your child should be seen before a strep test is performed. Do not "watch" sore throats for prolonged periods of time--even if untreated, strep will only last 5-7 days before resolving on its own but the patient will remain with a small but significant risk of rheumatic fever and other complications. However it is neither an emergent or urgent disease. Your child can be evaluated during the next available office appointment if he shows signs of strep throat.
