What Are the Dangers of Lengthy Term Strep Exposure in Kids


Certain, your child hates strep exams, and it can be tempting to drive off going to the pediatrician if you believe she has strep. After all, a strep infection may resolve on its own, and antibiotics can do a number on your kid's abdomen. Withholding therapy, however, can be dangerous. Untreated strep can put your kid at danger for numerous problems, including rheumatic fever, kidney an infection and autoimmune condition -- even if the infection resolves itself.





Rheumatic Fever



One of the main problems physicians worry about when it comes to untreated strep is rheumatic fever. It occurs most commonly in children ages 5 to 15, although children and adults of all ages are at risk. Rheumatic fever is rare, but it can damage a child's coronary heart valves or even lead to heart failure, leading to long-term problems. Most generally, the mitral valve is impacted, which can trigger valve stenosis -- narrowing of the valve -- or valve regurgitation -- leaking of the valve -- each of which might cause heart failure or irregular heartbeat.





Publish-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis (GN)



Untreated strep can also trigger the glomeruli, or filtering units of the kidneys, to turn out to be swollen. This irritation stops the kidneys from filtering the urine successfully. Symptoms include a reduction in urination, bloody or rust-colored urine, irritation and joint discomfort. Even though post-streptococcal GN usually resolves without therapy, it can potentially damage the kidneys, creating chronic kidney failure or even finish-stage kidney disease, amongst other problems.





PANDAS



Children between age 3 and puberty can agreement pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric problems related with streptococcal bacterial infections, abbreviated as PANDAS. The signs and symptoms of PANDAS are comparable to the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, besides that they seem quickly following a diagnosed strep an infection. These symptoms include obsessions, compulsions, tics, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder signs and symptoms, increased separation anxiety and general moodiness. Extra strep bacterial infections can exacerbate the condition. PANDAS is usually treated just like OCD -- through a combination of treatment and medication.





An infection



Strep throat can also spread to other parts of the body, causing secondary bacterial infections. For example, it can unfold to the region powering the pharynx, causing a retropharyngeal abscess, or to the tonsils, causing a peritonsillar abscess. It might also cause an infection in the ear, pores and skin, sinuses or blood. Extremely seldom, it can lead to poisonous shock syndrome, an illness in which infection quickly spreads to various organs at as soon as, such as the lungs, liver and kidneys.