The Dangers of Untreated Strep Throat in Children

Strep throat is a common illness that many people will deal with throughout their lifetimes. It is caused by Streptococcus, a common but highly contagious bacterium. While the majority of strep infections are minor and can be treated with antibiotics, when left untreated, strep throat in children can lead to serious and life-threatening medical conditions. In the most severe cases, strep can lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome, which may result in lung and blood infections that could require amputation.

When healthcare professionals fail to diagnose a strep infection promptly, the consequences can be devastating, and the individuals responsible should be held accountable.

Key Takeaways

• Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common and highly contagious bacterium that causes strep throat. It is easy to diagnose and treat.
• If left untreated, strep throat can progress to life-threatening medical conditions like sepsis and toxic shock syndrome.
• When a missed strep throat diagnosis is allowed to progress to a serious medical condition like sepsis or toxic shock syndrome, the healthcare provider who missed the diagnosis may be liable for medical malpractice.

What Is Strep Throat and Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common and highly contagious bacterium that can cause a range of infections, from a mild sore throat to life-threatening conditions like sepsis and toxic shock syndrome. It is most common among children ages 5 to 15, but can affect people of all ages. Initial signs and symptoms of strep throat include a sudden, unexplained sore throat, fever, and swollen tonsils or lymph nodes, typically without a cough, which distinguishes it from a viral illness.

When diagnosed early, strep throat is highly treatable. When symptoms are present, healthcare providers should perform a rapid strep test to diagnose strep throat and treat it using prescription antibiotics. Left untreated, Streptococcus bacteria can lead to severe, life-threatening medical complications.

Untreated Strep Throat in Children Can Lead to Sepsis and Toxic Shock

Untreated GAS can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening medical conditions like sepsis and toxic shock. Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency in which the body has an extreme and over-reactive immune response to an infection that can cause damage to healthy tissue and organs. Toxic shock occurs when strep bacteria enter the bloodstream and produce toxins.

Signs and symptoms of sepsis include:

• High fever or very low body temperature
• Abnormally fast or slow heart rate
• Rapid breathing and shortness of breath
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Clammy, sweaty, pale, or discolored skin
• Confusion, extreme sleepiness, or difficulty waking up
• Low urine output

Signs of toxic shock syndrome include:

• A sudden, high fever, often accompanied by chills
• A widespread, flat, red rash that looks like a sunburn, commonly on the palms and soles of the feet
• Vomiting or watery diarrhea
• Severe muscle pain
• Red eyes, mouth, or throat
• Confusion or disorientation

These are severe medical emergencies, and delayed treatment can lead to catastrophic medical consequences or death.

When Does a Missed Strep Diagnosis Become Medical Malpractice?

Untreated strep throat in children doesn’t always result from negligence. However, medical malpractice can occur when a healthcare provider fails to diagnose and treat strep throat in a timely and appropriate manner. Common examples of negligent failure to diagnose strep throat include:

• Failure to perform basic tests, such as a throat swab, blood test, or chest X-ray to diagnose a strep infection.
• Underestimating or dismissing symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils or lymph nodes, or difficulty breathing.
• Failure to provide appropriate treatment, such as ordering oral antibiotics when intravenous (IV) antibiotics or hospitalization is needed.
• Delay in communicating test results that identify Streptococcus, resulting in delayed treatment.
• Failure to monitor patients, particularly children, with severe symptoms, which can lead to further complications that could have been avoided.

When healthcare providers fail to meet this standard of care and harm results, families have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and other losses caused by negligent medical care.

Protecting Your Health and Your Rights After a Missed Diagnosis

A missed diagnosis or delayed diagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to recognize that a patient has a particular medical condition, often because the provider does not identify a particular combination of symptoms or does not recognize them as being as serious as they actually are.

When a child experiences a severe medical complication because of a healthcare provider’s missed or delayed diagnosis that led to untreated strep throat, the child and their family deserve compensation for their injuries and other losses. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your situation, including the relevant medical records, to determine whether the healthcare provider missed the diagnosis.

How an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help

Strep throat is easy to diagnose and treat, which is why severe outcomes from missed diagnoses are so preventable, and so serious. If your child was harmed due to untreated strep throat, the Fraser Law Firm can review your situation and the relevant medical records to determine whether you have a claim for medical malpractice and provide expert advice and guidance to help you and your family move forward.

The Fraser Law Firm proudly serves clients in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, helping individuals and families injured by medical negligence secure the maximum monetary recovery to which they are entitled. Contact the Fraser Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.