[famousmockngbrd]

I get strep throat every winter, sometimes several times. I'm pretty sure I have it now, my tonsils are all lumpy and yellow and I have swollen, spotted glands. Yuck. The problem is I can't call the doctor until Monday and probably won't get in to see her until Tuesday. Does anyone know if me having strep throat is harmful to the baby at all? I did a Google search and apparently it's not a big deal but I wondered if anyone has any more information.

TIA -

 

[Lousli]

I don't know if strep itself is harmful, I tend to think it probably wouldn't be for a couple of days. I know a prolonged high fever isn't supposed to be great, especially in the first trimester, so if you have a fever, you might want to try to bring it down with some tylenol. Other than that, if you can rest and stay hydrated, that's good.

You know, the last time I had strep, I got it on a Saturday evening, and didn't call on Sunday, and didn't see the doc until Monday or Tuesday. It was the worst case I've had in a long time. If you get it pretty frequently, and know the symptoms, especially if you have the same doc or a record of it in your chart, you may be able to page your doctor and get an Rx for some antibiotics called in to your pharmacy. You may be able to start taking them as soon as tonight. Feel better, strep is awful

 

[famousmockngbrd]

Thanks - I'll try calling tomorrow. I don't have a fever. But you're right, the longer I go without taking antibiotics the worse it will get.

I hate strep.

 

[Periwinkle]

I came here to post the same thing. When I told my midwife I had a bad sore throat, she wasn't pleased, so I had a culture done Friday. I've done a lot of Googling and I can't seem to fine anything about how strep throat is worse than any other illness. (Besides, I keep getting all these links to Group B strep, and even when I search "Group A Strep" - which is what causes strep throat, I still get all the wrong links). Anyway, just keep fever under control for now (< 101 F) with Tylenol if you have to, and get a culture if your throat is still really bad Monday.

 

[paquerette]

What about trying some garlic, and lemon and honey tea, to knock it down until you can see your doctor?

 

[momto l&a]

Year ago I used to have strep most every year though I never had the common symtoms of it.
Anyway the dr said someone or a cat we had must be a carrier for it, turned out my grandmother was.

Strep can cause some sort of heart problem, but I think its pretty rare.

to you, strep is nasty

 

[famousmockngbrd]

Thanks. I have been drinking lemon and honey tea (yum - and it feels heavenly on my throat) and tonight we had a big, garlicky pasta dinner.

My throat still looks bad and I have pretty much lost my voice. I'll probably call the doctor tomorrow.

Strep can cause rheumatic fever if left untreated. This can damage the valves in your heart and cause serious problems later on. This is why I was worried about the baby - could strep infect the fetus and cause heart problems? I guess not.

 

[Periwinkle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by famousmockngbrd Strep can cause rheumatic fever if left untreated. This can damage the valves in your heart and cause serious problems later on. This is why I was worried about the baby - could strep infect the fetus and cause heart problems? I guess not.

Just want to clarify one thing... strep can cause rheumatic fever, not if left untreated, which implies you have to DO something to keep from getting rheumatic fever if you have strep, but if for some reason your body doesn't get rid of the strep on its own, which is rare, and it progresses to rheumatic fever.

To the best if my understanding, if you had rheumatic fever, the danger to the baby would be from your high fever. So strep throat isn't a risk in and of itself (such as rubella might be) to the baby.

 

[famousmockngbrd]

Thanks for the clarification, Periwinkle.

 

[jraohc]

It's my understanding that in Europe strep throat isn't always treated anymore - it's just allowed to run it's natural course. Same with ear infections. I don't know if they always skip the antibiotics or just sometimes, but it's what a few doctors I know have told me.

I have no idea what the implications of strep during pregnancy are though. Sorry. I hope you feel better soon.