STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS
The streptococcal germ can cause
sore throat, tonsillitis, sinusitis, middle, ear infection, and indirectly
rheumatic fever and kidney disease (nephritis). Rheumatic fever or nephritis
may follow a week or so after strep infection. This does not mean that most, or
even many, strep infections lead to these illnesses. But by guarding against
strep infections, the chances of getting these more serious diseases can be
significantly de- creased.
The first step in protecting your child against
strep is to follow the measures outlined for preventing colds. A fever that
develops when a cold seems to be ending suggests a potentially serious
complication until proved otherwise by the doctor. Some of the complications
are described below. Quick treatment by the doctor will promptly suppress strep
infection and will almost always prevent its complications.
Sore Throats,
Swollen Neck Glands, Tonsillitis, Sinusitis, and Middle Ear Infections These
may be caused by the streptococcus although most sore throats, swollen glands,
and severe upper respiratory infections in childhood are caused by viruses.
Tonsillitis produces a high fever which lasts several days.
The child may vomit and have headaches, and his throat may
be- come so sore that he can barely swallow. A doctor is needed. The first
thing to do if the child complains of sore throat is to put him to bed. Don't
expect overnight recovery. It takes a while for tonsillitis to be cured. The
tonsils are located at the back of the mouth and are composed of lymphoid
tissue. They are like the lymph nodes and have the same purpose: to trap and
destroy germs.
Yet sometimes they become over invasion of germs and, instead of
destroying the tonsils themselves Me overwhelmed and infected. Child tonsils be
removed 7 Once they were, almost routinely. Now feel they should not be taken
out except when there is good, reason. Removal of tonsils will not decrease the
frequency of infections. If they must be removed, the operation should be conducted
at a good hospital. Some family doctors and pediatricians are found in tonsil
removal; if they are not, they will arrange for a throat difficult to carry out
the operation.
