THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS REPORTING AN INCREASE IN SERIOUS CASES OF STREP THROAT IN CHILDREN.

IT'S THE GROUP "A" STREP CASES THAT ARE RISING, LEAVING FIVE ILLINOIS CHILDREN DEAD DUE TO STREP-RELATED COMPLICATIONS SO FAR THIS YEAR. THE STATE'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, DOCTOR ARTI BARNES SAYS SYMPTOMS CAN COME ON FAST AND INCLUDE A VERY SORE THROAT AND A FEVER. SHE RECOMMENDS GETTING YOUR CHILD A RAPID STREP TEST SO THEY CAN START ANTIBIOTICS IF NECESSARY.

THE TROUBLE STARTS WHEN KIDS DON'T RESPOND TO THE MEDICATION AND DEVELOP OTHER SYMPTOMS.

DOCTOR BARNES SAYS IF YOUR CHILD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING BETTER AND IS COMPLAINING ABOUT A COUGH, STOMACH ACHE, WEAKNESS OR OTHER NEW SYMPTOM, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK WITH THEIR DOCTOR TO MAKE SURE THE INFECTION HASN'T REACHED THEIR BLOOD STREAM.