Last Updated on 10 years by Publishing Team

My child has a sore throat. Could it be Strep?
If a child has a sore throat, it might be caused by a Group A Streptococcal infection, often referred to as ‘Strep throat.’ This kind of infection is most common in children aged 5 to 15, but can affect anyone.
If your child has Strep throat, they may find it difficult to swallow or eat food. The glands on their neck may be larger than normal, and they may have spots on their tonsils.

Only a doctor or nurse can tell if your child’s sore throat is Strep throat, and the only way to prevent Strep throat from potentially developing into Rheumatic Fever is to treat it with antibiotics.

My child has a sore throat. What do I do?
If your child has a sore throat, take them to a doctor or nurse and ask about Strep throat.
If the doctor or nurse thinks it is Strep throat, they will give your child one injection of Penicillin or a 10-day course of antibiotic tablets or mixture.
These antibiotics are free at Ministry of Health clinics.
The antibiotic tablets or mixture must be started straight away and taken for 10 days to prevent Rheumatic Fever, even if the sore throat goes away.
The doctor will say if it is not Strep throat.