Many children carriers of strep throat

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- About one-third of children infected with strep throat are carriers: The bacteria are in their throats but they show no symptoms, says a U.S. researcher.

Dr. Judith Martin, an infectious-disease specialist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, says infection from Group A Streptococci -- the bacterium that causes strep throat -- is spread by person-to-person contact, which makes children highly susceptible to spreading and getting the infection at school.

A child can remain a carrier for as long as four years, but on average each child carries the infection for about three months, according to Martin.

"It is important for parents and physicians to be cognizant of the high rate of strep infections at this time of year and the fact that many children can be carriers," says Martin. "Even though a child appears healthy, he or she may be harboring strep. These children are not at risk for having some of the complications that can be associated with strep throat infections. However, if multiple members in a family continue to get strep over and over, everyone in the family should be tested to determine who might be a carrier."

Previously published research by Martin found 60 percent of schoolchildren at a Pittsburgh-area elementary school tested positive for strep at least once during the school year.