my 5yr.old daughter has been coughing for a few days now and now today she started to run a fever with bad breath. Is this a strep throat or could it be something else
2006-11-25 15:25:51 · 7 answers · asked by spn91373 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The bad odor and if present bad taste in the mouth raise a strong suspicion of strep throat. Other symptoms that may be present are head ache stomach pain. referred pain in the ears, swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck and also a fever that is higher than100.6 or 101 degrees F.
Strep throat cano on rare occasions lead to rheumatic fever and in rarer cases still onto rheumatic heart disease. That is why antibiotic reluctant doctors will usually, make an exception and prescribe antibiotics when strep throat is suspected. A strep test will be done and confirmed with cultures and antibiotic susceptibikity culture tests will be taken. Usually strep throat would resolve in about five days with no treatment whatsoever but taking chances is not a good idea.(the duration drops to about 3 days or a little less with antibiotic treatment.)
The foul breath odor is a strong indicater.
Please have the child examined by a medical practitioner.
Doc. Dan.
2006-11-25 15:41:49 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I just got over strep, and I'm guessing it'd be the same for a five year old, just as anyone else. Normally, when one has strep, that person doesn't normally cough. The throat is red and irritated, it's hard to swallow and its scratchy. Try looking at he throat with a flashlight. If you see small pockets of pus, its most likely strep. If the back of the throat is red and swollen, you've got a problem. I've had strep so many times, about 6 times a year since I was able to walk, finally I had my tonsils removed. And believe me, strep is nothing to mess around with. It can lead to rheumatic fever, which can cause damage to your heart valves. Please, take her to a doctor. It could be a cold, or it may be strep, but you need peace at mind, and meed to have her medicated as soon as possible.
2006-11-25 16:36:51 · answer #2 · answered by thats_hot_097 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strep throat usually presents itself with sometimes large tonsils, white patches on the back of the throat, red throat, fever sometimes low grade, stomach ache, punky strong breath, rash. It's possible that it could be something viral that might have similar symptoms as strep like fever and whatnot. Best thing to do is give her some motrin and a cough supressant. If she is congested give her vicks on her chest or a hot bath. Check her tempreture often. If there is a sudden spike above 103 i would bring her to the er. Also if she develops a rash nausea,vomiting,stiff neck or anything alarming or unusual bring her to the er as these could be symptoms of meningitus which is bery dangerous. Keep her hydrated and do whatever you normally do when she is sick. Get her to the pediatrcian's office soon, so they can do a strep test, and get her started on some antibiotics. If you don't want to wait till monday you can go to the e.r which do rapid strep cultures which are really fast ro an urgent care.
2006-11-25 15:37:49 · answer #3 · answered by Angela. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing she still has her tonsils? Look in the back of her throat and what do you see? How large are her tonsils? The uvula (the little fleshy thing that hangs down in the middle), does it look normal or is it slightly longer than normal? The very back of her throat, pink? Post nasal drip? Or, does it appear coated with a white plaquey substance? How does her breath smell? REALLY foul? Feel the front sides of her throat, are her lymphnodes swollen? Fever? Difficulty swallowing? Take her to the doctor. And please, don't give her anything with aspirin in it, like motrin.
2006-11-25 15:38:21 · answer #4 · answered by Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be her throat or her tonsils. Look in the back of her throught and if either her Tonsils or Throat look white-ish and puss like you should take her to the Doctors because she more than likely will need antibiotics.
2006-11-25 15:30:43 · answer #5 · answered by Patty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sever sore throat with sweling
coughing
Fever
Earach
General achs and pains
Take your daughter to a doctor or a walk in clinic, thet would know.
2006-11-25 15:29:48 · answer #6 · answered by me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a very serious not to toy with . She needs a throat culture. Take her to her Doctor.
2006-11-25 15:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋