How does your doctor test your toddler for Strep?

Last week my son had a sore throat and the doctor did a culture to see if he had strep throat (luckily he didn't!)...the doctor and the nurse and myself had to hold my son down while he screamed..it was really an awful experience....afterwards i was wondering if that is the norm..my son is 4, why can they just tell him to open his mouth wide and just swap him fast. Just wondering how other doctors do the test.

It was really a TERRIBLE experience. Plus afterwards my son was gagging and i really thought he was going to vomit. Sorry for TMI.

Re: How does your doctor test your toddler for Strep?

My doctor swabs my Ds every time we go in for a sick visit. I gave him strep when he was about 3 months old. Babies usually don't get strep until their 18 months or older, but not in my DS case. So he is swabbed every time. I know its unpleasant but you'd rather them swab them then let strep go untreated.

Re: How does your doctor test your toddler for Strep?

Maybe he thought your ds wouldn't cooperate so that is why he tried the hard way first. He probably gagged because he was screaming. I would suggest to the dr. next time he asks him to open his mouth first and see how it goes.

I know my younger ds would have to be held down since the dr can't look at him without him screaming :)

Re: How does your doctor test your toddler for Strep?

Gagging when the test done is normal after. They might have thought they wouldn't get a good sample if they didn't hold him down. They have to stick it all the way back and get it all the way around. I wouldask next time if they could 1st just try opening his mouth. BTW my ped doesn't hold them down unless they can't get it any other way. My ped bribes with a lollipop 1st.

Re: How does your doctor test your toddler for Strep?

It stinks, but it's fast ans over with quickly. Better now bc they get the results right away. I remember they would send it out to the lab and we'd have to wait a day or so.

The Ped is usually fast ans doesn't have to hold down my 3 yr old. He does lay him down and does it so fast it's over before DS knows what happens then he gags and coughs a bit after. After a moment or 2 he's fine. Just a little mad about what just happened.

Re: How does your doctor test your toddler for Strep?

ok, i guess they know my son is "difficult"...bad patient...so that's why they went that route...thanks..and it makes me feel better that the gagging is normal...I could have used a big cocktail after that app't!!!!