Could My Infant Have Strep Throat? -- An Overview
As a type of throat infection,
strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria (also called GAS or
Streptococcus pyogenes). It occurs most often in children between the ages of 5 and 15, although it can occur in adults and infants. Strep throat is most frequently diagnosed during the late fall, winter, and early spring.
How Common Is It in Infants?
Strep throat is uncommon in infants and children under the age of three; but, on occasion, they do get strep.
Up to 30 percent of throat infections diagnosed in children between the ages of 5 and 15 are the result of strep throat. Older children often "catch" strep at school and then bring it home, infecting their younger siblings.
Daycare is another place where strep throat is often spread.
How Is Strep Throat Spread?
Strep throat is contagious. It is spread through contact with infected throat mucus, nasal discharge, or saliva.
This can happen when an infected person sneezes or coughs and infected droplets spray into the air. The infected mucus can land in another person's nose, throat, or eyes, and enter their body. Strep bacteria can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has infectious fluids on it. When the person then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes, the bacteria can be spread.
It takes about two to four days after contact with the bacteria for a person to develop
strep throat symptoms.
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