Park Ave ENT
Jacqueline Jones, M.D.
Otolaryngologist located in Upper East Side, New York, NY & Brooklyn, NY
If you or your child develop a severely painful sore throat accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, swollen red tonsils, and patches of white in your throat, you may have strep throat. At Park Avenue ENT, with locations in Brooklyn and on the Upper East Side of New York City, Jacqueline Jones, MD, offers expert diagnosis and treatment to relieve the pain of strep throat while helping your body fight the infection. Call the practice or schedule an appointment online today for compassionate care and rapid relief of your symptoms.
Strep Throat Q & A
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that’s very common in children. Strep throat is caused by the streptococcus bacteria and is highly contagious. The illness can spread through airborne droplets when someone near you sneezes or coughs as well as through touching surfaces such as door handles or elevator buttons.
Strep throat diagnoses tend to peak in the autumn when children go back to school. Some of the symptoms you should look out for include:
- Painful swallowing
- A sudden sore throat
- Red and swollen tonsils with white or yellow patches
- Red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
If you or your child experience these symptoms, especially if the fever is 101℉ or higher, make an appointment with Dr. Jones for diagnosis and treatment.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
Dr. Jones examines your throat looking for the tell-tale signs of swollen red tonsils and white patches. She confirms her diagnosis with an in-office throat culture that takes fewer than 8 minutes.
How is strep throat treated?
Dr. Jones prescribes antibiotics to help your body fight the bacterial infection. However, if a virus is causing your sore throat, Dr. Jones won’t prescribe antibiotics as they won’t affect the illness. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce your fever and pain in your throat. Dr. Jones can recommend medicines for younger children.
You also need to rest and recover, which not only helps your body fight the illness but also helps you avoid spreading strep throat to friends and colleagues. Get plenty of sleep and drink clear liquids. Hot tea with honey or a popsicle help soothe your throat. Strep throat often makes it painful to swallow, so you may want to stock up on soft foods like soups, cooked cereals, and yogurt.
What should I do if my child has recurring sore throats?
If your child has several sore throats including bacterial infections like strep throat every year, Dr. Jones may recommend removing their tonsils. Dr. Jones often suggests other forms of treatment and lifestyle modifications to reduce illness before opting for surgery.
If you or your child have strep throat symptoms or have had a sore throat that’s lasted longer than 24 hours with no relief, call Park Avenue ENT or schedule an appointment online today.
