kitkat 12:09 PM 05-19-2011
How contagious is strep throat? Dcg didn't come today b/c she had a fever. Went to the dr and it's strep! She was acting totally normal yesterday, so I was really surprised to hear she was sick. Normally I wouldn't be freaking out, but my youngest DS is only 12 weeks old. He still sleeps a lot and was only up for a little bit when she was here yesterday. My DS who is 6 hasn't even had strep yet, so this is a new illness for us. Should I be worried that baby DS has been exposed to it? What are the chances that he could get it?
wdmmom 12:11 PM 05-19-2011
In my daycare, if one kid has strep, they all get strep...unless it's caught early enough.
I'd take the precautionary measure and make a doctors appointment.
youretooloud 12:12 PM 05-19-2011
It's not that easy to catch. Usually you have to put your mouth on something she did.
I get several kids each year who's parents will call me later that day and say "it's strep", and the other kids never get it. Usually their siblings or parent will get it though.
The really little kids who mouth everything are more susceptible to it.
But... yes.. it's contagious, and I'd forewarn the other parents that their kids were exposed.
Crystal 12:15 PM 05-19-2011
I'm in the "it's very contagious" camp. And it's AWFUL!!!! She needs to be excluded until 24 hours after antibiotics start and she's fever free. I would disinfect everything to be on the safe side.
momofsix 12:16 PM 05-19-2011
It is very contagious. I would think if the baby wasn't around any of the kids much-didn't get coughed on etc he should be fine.
I had it in Feb., woke up feeling terrible (didn't know it was strep) but told the parents I'd call them if I needed to. By lunch time I could hardly stand up, my throat was killing me, and I had a fever. Called the parents, then the Dr. and got my antibiotics! That's the thing with strep, it's not like a cold that gradually builds up, it's just BAM-you're sick.
None of my kiddos got it though, even though they were with me all morning and I made their snacks, lunch etc.
Blackcat31 01:08 PM 05-19-2011
Lilbutterflie 02:13 PM 05-19-2011
I know that it's very contagious; but on two separate instances my daughter has had it, and NO ONE (not any of the daycare kids, nor anyone else in our family) got it. I don't know, perhaps we were all just lucky... but two times in a row! So it is possible no one else will get it; but don't be surprised if some do!
momma2girls 02:23 PM 05-19-2011
It's very contagious, especially to smaller children, with low immunnities.
jen2651 02:33 PM 05-19-2011
My 7 month was diagnosed with strep. I had to FORCE the dr. to swab her. The dr. thought I was a crazy mom...there had been a kiddo at dc who had it and then had scarlet fever. My dd was acting different. Fine for most kids, but clingy and whiny for her. She had a slight temp (99.4) under arm and I brought her. The dr. basically said she was fine and I was insane, but I insisted and the test came back pos. Of course, she was at the mouthing age where your 12 week old isn't. Just ask parents to watch kiddos. One of the symptoms is a stomach ache...I have never had strep before but this winter I wasn't feeling 100% and had a stomach ache/lower lungs. I finally had enough and went in. I felt like a total dork telling the dr. my lungs/stomach hurt. He laughed, and gave me a swab. I told him it would be neg, as I have never had strep, besides, my throat didn't hurt. He walked back into the room laughing as my quick test came back pos! I never knew a stomach ache was a symptom...he said lots of little kids come in with sore throats and stomach aches that are strep!
Kaddidle Care 02:48 PM 05-19-2011
Originally Posted by kitkat:
How contagious is strep throat? Normally I wouldn't be freaking out, but my youngest DS is only 12 weeks old. He still sleeps a lot and was only up for a little bit when she was here yesterday. My DS who is 6 hasn't even had strep yet, so this is a new illness for us. Should I be worried that baby DS has been exposed to it? What are the chances that he could get it?
If you are nursing the baby you are passing him your antibodies and he's pretty darned well protected.
While strep is contagious, there are a lot of people that are very resistant to it. I think each of my sons have had it once - one had scarletina. While he looked funny it was nothing more than a dose of antibiotics to fight.
Just keep an eye on baby. If he's more fussy, refuses bottle or gets a fever off to the Dr. you go.
nannyde 06:12 PM 05-19-2011
VERY contagious.
It's a serious infection. The child needs to be home for at least twenty four hours on antibiotics and if possible 48.
They need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning without the aid of fever reducing meds. It can also be very painful so she needs to be eating, drinking, and sleeping well before she returns.
I would go on super clean and bleach everything.
Unregistered 06:55 PM 05-19-2011
Don't buy the all strep is susceptible to amoxicilan line either - and know the rapid tests are often wrong - so if you suspect or have a known exposure, make them culture and do a sensitivity. Pay close attention for a few weeks - resistant strains may respond and then come back.....( My winter and yes I am still sick)