Danestress Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 My sickie has his first case of strep. Actually, it's the first time he's ever been on an anti-biotic. His "well" brother missed swimming today so that I could take sickie to the doctor. The doctor said that the sick child will not be contagious 24 hours after his first dose of medicine. But for how long do you think I should keep the well child home while I wait to see if he is going to get sick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I think strep can take up to 2 weeks after exposure for symptoms to show. I don't know when during that point someone could be asymptomatic but still a carrier though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 The incubation period is 2-5 days usually so if you wanted to be completely safe you could wait that long. How old is the well child? Strep is transmitted via drinking after someone, eating after them, close contact. Just being in the same area isn't a big risk. So if the well child is old enough to be trusted not to share drinks, to cover his mouth if he coughs and to be a little extra careful it's probably ok. Also with swimming, I would think he wouldn't be in close contact, unlike something like wrestling. The standard is not to recommend that well contacts stay home. 10-20% of kids are healthy carriers of strep, meaning they are well but asympotmatic. Most of the time it is these healthy carriers that are unknowingly spreading the infection. Asymptomatic carriers can stay that way for years. Standard antibiotic treatment does not work, but occasionally it can be eradicated with a different antibiotic than what is usually used for strep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 My sickie has his first case of strep. Actually, it's the first time he's ever been on an anti-biotic. His "well" brother missed swimming today so that I could take sickie to the doctor. The doctor said that the sick child will not be contagious 24 hours after his first dose of medicine. But for how long do you think I should keep the well child home while I wait to see if he is going to get sick? I am all for trying to keep our germs to ourselves, but I don't stay home to see if the other child will get sick. Of course, as mentioned in another thread, we are serious handwashers here. I can honestly say that I've never even had one child transmit to the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 If the healthy child is feeling well, he probably can go to swim practices? I don't think he cares if I keep him from playing with friends or visiting their homes, as long as he can swim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 If the healthy child is feeling well, he probably can go to swim practices? I don't think he cares if I keep him from playing with friends or visiting their homes, as long as he can swim! Yes, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Yes, in my opinion. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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