Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A streptococci.
A rapid strep test can usually give you results in about 5-10 minutes, so there's no reason not to get your child checked as soon as symptoms occur.
Strep throat can lead to several serious illnesses if it is left untreated, like rheumatic fever or kidney problems.
Listen in as Dr. Shawn Ralston discusses strep throat and the best treatments for your child.
Selected Podcast
Strep is More than Just a Sore Throat
Featuring:
Dr. Shawn Ralston is section chief of Inpatient Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and an Associate Professor at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She is editor-in-chief of Hospital Pediatrics, an AAP medical journal and co-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ bronchiolitis guideline committee. She has published extensively on acute viral bronchiolitis and currently leads the AAP Quality Improvement Innovation Network’s multi-hospital collaborative on improving bronchiolitis care.
Shawn Ralston, MD
Dr. Shawn Ralston is section chief of Inpatient Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and an Associate Professor at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She is editor-in-chief of Hospital Pediatrics, an AAP medical journal and co-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ bronchiolitis guideline committee. She has published extensively on acute viral bronchiolitis and currently leads the AAP Quality Improvement Innovation Network’s multi-hospital collaborative on improving bronchiolitis care. Transcription: