my 12yr old keeps getting strep why? an what can we do to stop this he does this two to three times a year
You may want to get the whole family tested. My friend and neighbor had the same problem. They even went so far as to have his tonsils removed, but he kept getting strep throat. After testing, they found that his brother was a carrier, never getting it himself, but passing it on to his brother all the time. A year of antibiotics for the carrier, and all was well.
Some people are prone to certain illnesses/infections.
Those same people tend to become carriers (always test positive, because they always have it... But it doesn't affect them. Other people are around certain microbes tgey develop an immunity to them, by becomming carriers. 80% -plus a smidge- of hospital workers are either strep or staph carriers).
I'm a strep carrier. No matter what (unless Im actively on antibiotics), a culture will pop me positive for strep. As a kid I got strep a LOT, until I became a carrier for it. But even now, if I'm sick with something else, I will pop positive for strep.
So that's 2 things to consider (1 that given time/ repeated illness she'll become a carrier and it will no longer affect her, and 2 that she might already be a carrier and is just popping positive with regular colds/etc.)
In the meantime:
Strep is VERY halophobic / salt kills it better than anything. (Not a replacement for antibiotics once its a systemic infection... One can't get salt everywhere the strep is), but a GREAT way to lower the count enough to stop it going systemic if you catch it early... And HUGE help with the antibiotics once it is systemic.
- Gargle with saltwater
- High salt diet (ahhhh, Micky D's, the best sick-food on the planet)
- Saltwater baths or pools or ocean in hot weather
Not all the time, of course! Just when she feels it START to come on. If you can catch strep early, going bonzer on the salt for 2-3 days can nip it in the bud. Although one can gargle with warm saltwater every night, or swim in the sea daily, in general one does want to eat a high salt diet all the time.
Have his tonsils checked out (if he hasn't had them out already).
Have other family members checked.
If there are any pets (cats, dogs), have them checked, too.
I've heard of cases where the family dog keeps reinfecting other family members.
You have to have the family treated by the doctor and the dog treated by the vet at the same time in order to break that cycle if that's the source of infection.
Have his doctor check to see if anyone in the house is a carrier. If they are, they need to be treated and then it should stop. The carrier doesn't always get sick. HTH !
For us it was boosting our son's immune system . . . and I could write a book on that topic.
Strep is ubiquitous but not everyone gets sick from it - there's a reason for that.
Not sure..but getting tonsils out may help
Well if he goes to school he could have gotten it there. I know me and my kids get it usually at least once to twice a year. And he could be around or live with a carrier. My niece had it at least once a month for several years and they finally took her tonsils out. I think it's helped some but not made them stop. It's all about environment at home and school and anywhere he goes. Just encourage him to wash his hands as much as possible and not to drink after others if he does that.
Not sure the "why's".
I used to get strep a lot...a few times a year also. My tonsils came out my senior year of high school. Yikes..worst pain ever!! But I haven't had strep since.
Food for thought. But...do your own research..talk to a few doctors. See an Ear,Nose and Throat specialist.
Good luck and best wishes!!
