Get sore throats checked

A sore throat can lead to rheumatic fever if it’s left untreated.

Rheumatic fever starts with a kind of sore throat called a strep throat – a throat infection caused by a bacteria called Group A Streptococcus.

Not all sore throats are step throats but a doctor or nurse will need to check it to make sure. Rheumatic fever is very serious and can cause heart damage.

Rheumatic fever mainly affects Māori and Pacific children AND young people aged 4 to 19, especially if they have other family members who have had rheumatic fever.

If your child has a higher risk of getting rheumatic fever AND has a sore throat, it could be serious.

My child has a sore throat – what should I do?

Don’t ignore it.

Take them to a doctor or nurse straight away to get the sore throat checked. It’s free for children under 13 years of age – even after hours.

In the Hutt Valley you can also get your throat checked at a free sore throat clinic if:

• You are Māori or Pacific aged 4-19 years.
• You are a 3-35 year old household contact (with a sore throat) of someone who has been treated for a strep throat infection.
• You are a 4-19 year old living in a low socio-economic area (NZ Deprivation Index Quintile 5). See the bottom of this page for a map of these areas in the Hutt Valley, and links for you to find out more.

If your child is given antibiotics, it’s important they take them for the whole 10 days, even if they feel better, to stop the sore throat turning into rheumatic fever. You can call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to find out more.

Free sore throat clinics in the Hutt Valley

You can find which Quintile area you live in on the map below. More information about Quintiles is here

http://www.ehinz.ac.nz/indicators/population-information/socioeconomic-deprivation-profile/