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Having kids means you're constantly exposed to a variety of illnesses. On average, young children suffer from six to eight upper respiratory infections every year. This leads to frequent school absences. One common illness among kids is strep throat, which is caused by Group A strep bacteria and spreads easily.
Strep throat typically comes with a fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and swollen tonsils. It can also cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Since it's bacterial, strep throat is treatable with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can lead to complications like scarlet fever or rheumatic fever—serious but rare conditions.
Unlike some diseases where getting sick once provides immunity, strep throat can strike more than once. Here's what you should know if you or your children find yourselves frequently dealing with strep.
Strep throat cases are increasing
If it feels like you or your child are dealing with strep throat more frequently, you're not alone—strep throat cases have been on the rise since late 2022. 'At the end of last year, we saw a significant surge in group A strep,' said Anthony Flores, a pediatric infectious disease expert at UTHealth Houston and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. While he hasn't observed an increase in severe infections, he noted, 'the overall numbers are just much, much higher.'
What is likely happening, according to Flores, is that many younger children have not yet been exposed to strep, and are now spreading it among their peers, who then pass it on to their families. 'Kids are getting infected more often this year because the prevalence is much higher,' Flores explained. Essentially, your child is catching strep more frequently simply because it's spreading more, rather than a new, more contagious strain being to blame.
While strep throat is more common in children, adults can also get it, particularly if they live with young kids or work in settings where they are frequently around children. Just like with kids, the more adults are exposed to others with strep throat, the greater the likelihood they’ll get sick themselves.
Frequent strep infections may necessitate a tonsillectomy.
If you're getting strep several times a year, it’s important to follow up with your doctor for treatment and to assess for any underlying factors. In general, 'if you have distinct episodes [of strep throat] separated in time, it’s very possible that you've been reinfected,' instead of the antibiotic not working, Flores explained. This is especially true during periods when strep cases surge, providing more opportunities for exposure. While dealing with multiple bouts of strep throat isn’t pleasant, it’s typically not dangerous.
'Unless there's an underlying condition making you more prone to these infections, it’s unlikely to cause serious harm,' Flores stated. However, while the risk of severe damage is low, it remains essential to seek medical advice and receive proper treatment.
If you’re repeatedly getting strep throat, one option to consider is removing the tonsils, where strep bacteria tend to thrive. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, tonsil removal should be considered if someone experiences seven or more episodes of strep throat in a year, five or more cases per year for two consecutive years, or three or more cases for three consecutive years. While tonsil removal won’t completely eliminate the risk of strep throat, it can reduce the likelihood of future infections and lessen their severity.
Some individuals may be strep carriers
Most people who get strep will recover with antibiotics and be free of it—at least until the next infection. However, 'a small group of people are chronic carriers of strep,' said Mike Ren, a family doctor at Baylor College of Medicine. These individuals carry low levels of strep bacteria without showing symptoms. Unlike those actively infected with strep throat, carriers are much less likely to spread the infection and typically don't need treatment. Still, as Ren noted, carriers may experience periods of stress, like lack of sleep, which can trigger symptoms.
As Flores pointed out, if someone is a strep carrier but shows no symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean they are contagious. In fact, it's generally not advisable to treat asymptomatic carriers with multiple rounds of antibiotics.
