Question

Good morning, I’m wondering whether anyone has dealt with recurring strep, and what were the medical treatments? My son got strep (primarily as stomach aches) in mid-December. It came back as perianal strep (a butt rash) in late January, and it came back raging 10 days later as we were finishing his amoxicillin. So we did another 10-day treatment, this time with acid added to the amoxicillin to fight it off in his gut. Well this morning it has come back a fourth time. Of course I’ll take him into his pediatrician tomorrow, but I’m curious whether his doctors are taking this seriously enough. Paying our entire deductible toward strep visits and missing weeks of school as been insane, not to mention my poor kiddo’s experience and his overall gut health. Thanks.  

Answer 1

Poor guy! My daughter had recurring strep a few years ago, but it was all in her throat, not the rashes your guy is having. For her he said at the time that after 7 episodes within one year they get ENT involved. Not sure it's the same if the strep is not solely affecting the throat. Hope this is the last one for your son and he feels better soon!  

Comments

@gabardine seven! What a nightmare.  

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@menorrhagia17164 I know! She only had 5 so we avoided ENT. But I remember just feeling frustrated with the diagnosis over and over.  

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@gabardine yes! My son had it 4 or 5 times one year, not back to back like this, and they said 7 as well. My son gets the scarlet fever version most often.  

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I myself had to go through 6 bouts of a sore throat in a year before I got a referral to an ENT who promptly took my tonsils out. It wasn’t strep, though did cause high fevers each time. I would have assumed they’d refer faster if it was strep, though. Best think I ever did. Not sure if that would help in the case of rashes, but they should refer to some specialist given the frequency.  

Answer 2

I had strep twice within six weeks this year (while pregnant) both in my throat. I went to an ENT who said it was amoxicillin resistant strain and he put me on clarithromicin finally it cleared up completely

Comments

@wyler5845 yes, it seems like it’s resistant precisely because it came back fiercely as I was giving him his last dose. Thank you for your anecdote!  

Answer 3

Strep is a serious matter. Dr’s does take it seriously because if its untreated it can lead to Rheumatic Fever then to inflammation of Kidneys, to acute kidney failure and can temporarily lead to the child having to go through dialysis. Thats why when they tell you 10 days of antibiotics. You make sure that he finishes that 10 days treatment. Maybe he’s being missed diagnosed if this has been coming back over and over. My eldest one just got diagnosed with Strep on Thursday. We were told to wash everything, bedding, pillows, towels, etc mid antibiotic treatment and change toothbrush as well. Bleach the surface and toys he was in contact with. I hope your son feels better soon.  

Comments

@yand40 thank you. We never skipped a dose of any treatment (Alexa keeps me in check during breakfast and dinner). We didn’t change his toothbrush but I boiled it. I’ll go further this time.  

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Good hand hygiene is a must. I make sure the boys get showered every day coming from school and activities, wash the cut or scrapes with soap and warm water, then dab with clean paper towel. there’s so much things in our surrounding that can get us sick so easily , especially the kids. My boys probably gets tired of me constantly nagging them to wash their hands. Don’t put your hand in your mouths, don’t lick things, OMG. They probably think that Im a germaphobe or a lunatic. But working in health care can make you paranoid about the things that we can’t see with the naked eyes.  

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@yand40 I’m similarly crazy. My son loves to touch his eyes. We practically have a hazmat procedure when walking in the door after school.  

Answer 4

As a kid I had back to back strep (throat) and the 2nd time they gave me a shot instead of oral antibiotics. Now of course this was 30 years ago so I’m sure times have changed. Good luck!  

Answer 5

Sometimes there is a family member who is a carrier but never gets sick that can re-infect your son. My friend kept getting sick and they finally tested her daughter, who was never sick, but was a carrier. They had to treat her, too. I’d ask your doctor if this could be what’s happening.  

Comments

@involute thank you for your anecdote!  

Answer 6

Almost forgot. If you have a dog, take him to the vet and have him checked. Dogs and people can pass strep back and forth