Strep and Toothbrush!

Updated on June 07, 2011
D.M. asks from Carthage, MO
12 answers

what again is the rule on how many days on antibiotics for strep to throw away the toothbrush? also,my son keeps having this gunk that crust up his eyes after he sleeps,is that infection? drainage?

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B.H.

answers from Dallas on

my pedi says after 3rd dose of antibiotics it's time for a new toothbrush. I usually buy a new one after the 10th day too ... just in case ;-)

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J.K.

answers from Cleveland on

When I had tonsillitis, my doctor told me to replace my toothbrush after the the 3rd day of antibiotics. Sounds to me that your son has conjunctivitis. I would take him in to see if he could get eye drops for pink eye. GOOD LUCK!!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

He may have an eye infection... also known as "Conjunctivitis."
It is contagious.
It is either viral or bacterial based.
My son had that.
You NEED to have antibiotic eye drops/medicine.
Or it can get worse and not go away.
But you need to take him to the Doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Don't guess.
My Son had that.

Are your son's eye red or sore or irritated?
There are MANY types of Conjunctivitis.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

He could have a sinus infection as well or an ear infection. My kids eyes always drain with them but call your ped he could also have pink eye and need drops.

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B.O.

answers from Portland on

My school conducted a health committee not too long ago on this topic. We had a communicable diseases expert assist with the research. The results were that strep is not transmitted through toothbrushes. It is transmitted through person to person contact. It doesn't live long enough to be transmitted from a toothbrush.

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D.G.

answers from Syracuse on

just get a new brush at the end of treatment---who knows what could be on brush--3mos. rule of thumb for new brush

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K.L.

answers from Redding on

You could put the tooth brush through the dishwasher every day and buy a nice new one in about a week. The eye thing could be either, and probably comes along with the cold that started the strep. Hold a warm soppy (not soapy)wet wash cloth on his eyes to soften it and wipe clean then put the cloth in the wash and scrub your hands. Poor guy.

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My pediatrician says 24 hours after starting the antibiotics replace the toothbrush.

It sounds like he could have pink eye which needs treated so call the pediatrician. It is highly contagious and could harm the optic nerve if left untreated.

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D.T.

answers from Dallas on

Peroxide will also clean the toothbrush. No need to toss it, unless it is time for a new one anyway. Just plop it in a cup of peroxide each day while he is sick.

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I toss my toothbrush anytime I am sick...I am a germ freak so anything thats touched my sick grossness is a goner....

The eye is most likely drainage...I would watch it just in case it happens to turn into pink eye...Anytime I have any sort of infection in my upper half...my eye crusts and gets gross.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

The "gunk" is drainage from his sinus' that has to find a way out. Now the throat, out the ears, out the eyes, out the nose, etc...it is just a normal part of stuff. He may also be having some allergies. Change out his pillow and pillow case to see if he's allergic to it. I was allergic to the foam pillow I had as a child and when I got a fiber filled one it was like night and day.

J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Ped says after 24 hours on antibiotics.

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