"Post-Pandemic" Strep

You may have heard that "strep is going around".  Well, it is, as are many other illnesses.  

As the world continues to normalize after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that some patterns of illness are not exactly as they were.  While there are many theories as to why this is, the most common thinking is that the mitigation efforts that were taken (to various degrees) are likely to have disrupted many of the "usual illnesses".  While distancing and mask wearing were a necessary action to disrupt the deadly spread of the pandemic, as COVID-19 becomes a more common and less virulent virus, other pathogens have began to fill back in.

Some normal seasonality of illness which was not present last year has started to return.  Things "feel" more normal but some of the patterns of disease that we had grown used to have changed to varying degrees.

Strep is one of those pathogens.  Typically, classic strep symptoms include: significant sore throat, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting.  While we still see strep present this way, we are seeing a large number of cases of a much more mild version of strep.  This version includes symptoms that are more generally thought to be associated with viruses such as: scratchy throat, cough, congestion.  Many are presenting WITHOUT fever which previously would have been rare.  Because many of these cases are presenting with more mild symptoms, parents (rightfully so) are not taking their children to the doctor right away.  When this is diagnosed later, much spread has occurred which is some of the driver of today's case numbers.

It is very important to diagnose and treat strep because 1. It can be treated and 2. Untreated strep can lead to significant sequelae such as rheumatic heart disease and acute renal (kidney) failure.

The bottom line is not that every minor illness should be seen at the pediatrician's office.  Rather, think about it as an option in situations where you might not have.  Have a low threshold to consider strep with even minor illnesses.  If you are not sure, have been exposed or symptoms are even remotely consistent with strep, consider the office visit for evaluation.

Stay healthy!  Spring will be here soon!