A Tale of Two Streps

It’s never fun for me when I notice my son constantly clearing his throat or hear him sneeze. While most parents simply shrug those off, (or don’t even notice), I go the opposite and obsess. It’s not plain neuroticism on my part but because 8 out of 10 times, it’s never ‘just a cold’, or ‘just allergies’ with my son.

On Thursday, his back-to-back sneezefest started. He also slept feeling very congested that night. He went to school the following day sounding very nasal but still behaviorally normal. He also didn’t have a temperature. However, by the evening of September 1st, he developed a fever. This continued all weekend long and by Sunday morning, he started complaining of a slight sore throat and had a dry, ‘croupy’/seal-barking cough. I thought, “Oh, it’s an upper respiratory infection (URI). Ibuprofen and Mucinex should help.”

I was glad that Monday was Labor Day so at least he didn’t have to miss school. He remained miserable, struggling with dry cough, fatigue, and a worsening sore throat. His fever was also not going away and kept hovering around 102F. By Tuesday morning, I decided to bring him to his pediatrician. I suspected he had Strep, although I was thrown off by his other upper respiratory symptoms. I prayed for a definitive result when his throat got swabbed.

The result came after a few minutes. He was positive for Strep and was prescribed with Augmentin for 10 days.

I was oddly relieved when I heard this because knowing is better than guessing, and I’m sure the sense of hope I felt when antibiotics were prescribed is something any parent can deeply recognize.

As expected, my 10-year-old had digestive issues with the antibiotic. This was in spite of him taking it with food and amping up his probiotic intake. He had very loose stool for about a week, but fortunately there was no vomiting involved.

I wish I could say this is the end of our ordeal. The fact is that my worries peaked when I noticed that his fever still didn’t end in spite of being on the antibiotics for 48 hours. The evening of September 6 marked his fifth day of having a fever and it was not showing any signs of going away. I was completely losing my mind and couldn’t help but utter that prayer every parent knows all too well: Please just let it be me and spare my child. I was deeply concerned and thought it was one of two things: Either he contracted a virus on top of his bacterial infection, or his Augmentin is not cutting it and may need something stronger.

I waited until Friday morning to take him back to his doctor. By that day, he finally showed some improvement although he still had a low-grade fever (below 100.4). Nonetheless, I asked that he be re-tested for Strep, as well as be given a flu test.

Both came back negative which was great news. The doctor said that it means the Augmentin is doing its job, and that judging by my son’s appearance and the sound of his cough (wet/junky), she believes he does have a viral infection with his Strep throat. She simply told us to continue with the medication and return if his fever goes back to above 101 again.

Fortunately, he became fever-free all day that Friday and throughout the weekend, and was finally able to go back to school on September 11. To this day, he is still dealing with some cough but nothing too serious.

As further proof of God’s listening ear and sense of humor, I am here to report that just two days ago, September 13, I also tested positive for Strep. I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise considering I was with my son the whole time he was sick. I’m sure he must have coughed on me and breathed on my face when I slept by him.

I’m showing similar symptoms—started with that throat tickle/itch, dry cough turning junky, tight chest, fever, chills, fatigue, and of course the sore throat. I’m now on Augmentin as well. I don’t have the loose stool (just the rumbling stomach), but I do have the headache side effect. Oh yay!


As PSA to other neurotic parents out there, here are some of my takeaways from this highly bacterial and viral past week:


1. Google, Dr. Sears, Dr. Greene and all the over virtual doctors your fingers have access to are never 100% accurate. Even when they say Strep almost never occurs with nasal drainage and coughing, don’t rely on them too much. My son and I both started with mild URI symptoms and then felt the sore throat after two days. Go to the doctor and ask to be swabbed/tested. Don’t rely on just a throat visual either. Only an actual Strep test (rapid and/or a throat culture) can confirm the diagnosis and make sure you are not taking antibiotics unnecessarily.


2. Don’t underestimate the power of prayers and positive thoughts. I was so desperate on Wednesday night that I posted about my son’s condition on Facebook and asked for prayers. Just the thought that people all over the world were praying for and with us, gave me comfort and faith that things will turn around. I felt the difference and I’m sure my son did too. I also had a doctor friend reach out to me, as well as other moms who have been through a similar situation, and I felt so blessed to have received both their support and wisdom. Thank you!


3. Outshine Fruit Bars are the bomb! No, this is not a sponsored post. This was recommended by my friend, Holly J., and now my son and I are hooked. It’s non-dairy which makes it really great for strep throat, and is made from real fruits. My son hated the way his Augmentin tasted and Outshine bars saved the day…or 10 days, really.


4. Never be afraid to ask doctors for tests and be as detailed as you can be with your concerns. You may not be as trained as they are, but you are the best advocate for your and your child’s health. When I went to my doctor, I wasn’t sure I had Strep. I didn’t want to have it and can’t even remember the last time I had this infection. But I had to say I needed to be tested, not only because of my sore throat, but also because my son just had it. It made sense to me and that’s all that matters.


5. I highly recommend keeping a ‘sick journal’. I had written about this back in 2013 and continue to keep this system. It helps remind me of what is ‘normal’ for my son and helps me spot red flags more easily. It also helps me keep track of his responses to certain medications so I know not only what to expect, but also what may or may not work for him given certain symptoms.


I’m just on day 2 of antibiotics and still feeling very fatigued. I think I’ll lie down now and ignore the world for a while. I know I need to wash my sheets and sanitize everything, but frankly I don’t have the energy yet. For now, walking around with a can of Lysol spray would have to do. Stay healthy, folks!



Joy Page Manuel is a writer, blogger, hopeless romantic and full-time over-analyzer who lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband and son. She was born and raised in the Philippines and was an academic who taught Sociology in that past life. She blogs at Catharsis where she indulges all her cerebral meanders as she navigates the world of parenting, mid-life angst and everything in between. You can follow her on Facebook and Google+.