Myth Busting: Children under 2 CAN get Strep Throat. Is it common, no, but it can happen. See our experience here and learn the symptoms to be watchful of.
Last weekend I found myself with chills, a fever, sore throat and a headache. I instantly knew I had strep. I got my antibiotics
on Saturday morning and was held quarantined in our bedroom away from the kids until I was on the antibiotics for 24 hours. Just hoping that the kids and hubby wouldn’t get it too! Well Sunday came and I was not contagious anymore…feeling pretty crappy still but able to see my kiddos! Then Sunday afternoon Teagan started saying ouch a lot and seemed overly tired and hot. She laid on Jeremy for a while and then we started noticing a rash start on her feet. Oh goodness! She has it…I knew it! Because it was Sunday I called the “Ask a Nurse” to make sure we didn’t need to run to the after hours care or if she could wait until Monday morning.
The response and misdiagnosis I got over the phone was troubling. This has led me tolet you know about a Myth that Teagan has busted.
*Disclosure – I AM NOT A DOCTOR, when you or your child show symptoms of any of the diseases described in this post please seek a doctor.
Myth Busting: Children under 2 CAN get Strep Throat
The nurse I talked to on the phone, among other family members and friends when I told them about the rash on Facebook, responded this way. “She is under 2, she CANNOT get strep throat.” Instead the nurse diagnosed Teagan with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease over the phone. Told me it was viral, not a big deal, she will get over it. Treat with Tylenol to ease her fever and pain.
I got off the phone with her and was unsettled, in my heart I knew this was not Hand, Food, and Mouth disease…Teagan’s rash was ALL over her body and nothing near her mouth. Didn’t add up. I made the mommy decision that we would be taking her to the doctor because of my recent strep diagnosis and her rash and behavior.
That night was rough. She was not comfortable and her fever was still present even with Ibuprofen. The next morning I got an appointment for her and we headed to the pediatrician. I explained her symptoms and also told her about my recent diagnosis with Strep Throat. I also informed her of what the nurse on the phone told me about Hand, Food, and Mouth Disease. She said that due to the rash being all over Teagan’s body that it isn’t that.
The pediatrician took her temperature – still at 100 (not bad), looked at the rash, (Blanching, good signs), and got Teagan to open her mouth to see the back of her throat (very red and irritated). To be certain that it was strep and to rule out anything else she decided she had to run a rapid strep test on Teagan. After gaging the poor girl, the swab came up quickly with a positive for Strep Throat.
Teagan is on a round of Amoxicillin now for 10 days. Fingers crossed that she doesn’t have the same allergic reaction as
Jude! Eek! So here we are, parents of a 19 month old with Strep Throat. So yes it can happen. Is it common? No. Myth Busted!
Strep Throat in Toddlers Some Symptoms to Watch For:
Rash all over body
Fever
Loss of appetite
Child looks/acts uncomfortable
Not sleeping well
Wants to cuddle
Saying Ouch saying something hurts
Headaches
Vomiting
Drooling
Facts of Strep Throat:
While uncommon in children under 2, it is very possible for them to get Strep if a close family member or other child at a daycare/school has Strep as well.
Strep Throat is cured by antibiotics
Once taking antibiotics it takes 24 hours to not be contagious to others
Scarlet Fever is Strep Throat with a rash
Tips for caregivers of Toddlers with Strep:
Cuddle that toddler! They feel pretty crappy and what makes them happy is having you close.
Give Tylenol or Ibuprofen in order to control the fever and pain. (follow directions carefully!!)
If she will not eat food make sure to continue lots of fluid intake. Juice, milk, water and Pedialyte. Make sure she is having to go to the bathroom a couple times a day or having a couple wet diapers if she isn’t using the toilet.
Do not over wrap her when she has a fever. Too many blankets can over heat a little one.
Use a cool-mist humidifier in her bedroom for sleeping, this will help her sore throat.
Keep her away from other children in the house.
Try to have her rest her voice, that is hard to explain to a child but reminder her that her throat has owies.
Have her take lots of naps if she needs them. Rest is key.
Stay on a good schedule with the antibiotics, take them until gone!!
So that is our advice and story. If you child shows signs of Strep Throat please do not risk not getting it treated because the myth has been busted! Yes, a child under 2 CAN get Strep Throat! Stay healthy!
I have never heard that children under 2 can't get strep throat. What a bizarre myth! I never would have believed it if I had heard it, but it's good that you are putting the info out there in case other people have heard it.
I always love the things people put out there with medical advice. Just look at all the myths about pregnancy. I had a older woman tell me I should be raising my arms above my head because it will make the cord wrap around the babies neck
I'm not saying this to be a smart-ass but I've never heard that as a myth—too bad that nurse you talked to said that! Good for you for knowing better and going with your cut instinct. My kids have been so sick lately with tonsillitis, I'm so over this! Hope you both are feeling better.
I have heard it. My 10 month old had it. She had to go to urgent care since of course it was the weekend. She had a temp of 104. Before the Dr even laid eyes on her, he was trying to send us to the ER for blood work and a Cath for a UA. I asked for a strep test since she has two other siblings at home with strep. I was told babies under two do not get strep. My response was since this was my fifth baby and every one of mine has it before the age of 2 this was false. He told me I was wrong and refused to test. We called our on call who told us to bring her in in the morning. We did, she tested positive for strep, started antibiotics, and was much much better by the next day. It is so frustrating when Drs don't listen.
I have never heard that children under 2 can't get strep throat. What a bizarre myth! I never would have believed it if I had heard it, but it's good that you are putting the info out there in case other people have heard it.
I always love the things people put out there with medical advice. Just look at all the myths about pregnancy. I had a older woman tell me I should be raising my arms above my head because it will make the cord wrap around the babies neck
I'm not saying this to be a smart-ass but I've never heard that as a myth—too bad that nurse you talked to said that! Good for you for knowing better and going with your cut instinct. My kids have been so sick lately with tonsillitis, I'm so over this! Hope you both are feeling better.
Wow this is something I've never heard before. I thought kids could get anything we get.
UGH! Lennox had it when she was little too.
Scary! AND I thought if strep went undetected it could lead to scarlet fever?Yay for Mommy Instinct!
I have heard it. My 10 month old had it. She had to go to urgent care since of course it was the weekend. She had a temp of 104. Before the Dr even laid eyes on her, he was trying to send us to the ER for blood work and a Cath for a UA. I asked for a strep test since she has two other siblings at home with strep. I was told babies under two do not get strep. My response was since this was my fifth baby and every one of mine has it before the age of 2 this was false. He told me I was wrong and refused to test. We called our on call who told us to bring her in in the morning. We did, she tested positive for strep, started antibiotics, and was much much better by the next day. It is so frustrating when Drs don't listen.