APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently issued an advisory about a surge in strep throat in kids ages 5 to 15. But adult are able to get the virus as well.
Local hospitals, including ThedaCare, have seen the number of strep cases increase. It comes as many of the antibiotics used to help with strep throat are in short stock.
Health officials share the symptoms of strep throat and what to look out for if you think your child has the virus.
“So, strep does a good job of alerting parents because the kids don’t want to eat and they generally don’t want to swallow because their throat hurts so bad,” explained ThedaCare Family Medicine Physician Dr. Suzanne Havican. “They look, if the kid can open up enough, they’ll see that the back of that throat is red.”
Officials say the best way to prevent the virus is by washing your hands frequently, coughing into your elbow and not sharing utensils with others.
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