If your child has ever had a bad sore throat, it may have been caused by group A streptococcal (Group A Strep) bacteria, otherwise known as strep throat. This is a common type of bacterial infection found in the throat and on the skin that can cause a variety of infections.

These infections are most common in school-aged children because they are in close contact. The infections are very contagious but typically mild, and they can be easily treated. It is rare, but in some case where strep throat goes untreated, kidney and heart disease can develop. This is why early detection and treatment is essential.

Tessa Scripps, MD

In this Q&A, Tessa Scripps, MD, a pediatrician and Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains what causes strep throat, how to recognize the symptoms and treat them, and ways to help prevent the infection and keep it from spreading.

What are some common symptoms and infections caused by this strep infection?

Two of the most common infections are:

• Strep throat, the most common form, causes a sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and sometimes white patches on the tonsils.
• Impetigo, a skin infection, causes crusty skin sores, most often around the nose and mouth of children.

Other infections include:

• Scarlet fever, which causes a red rash, fever, sore throat, and sometimes a strawberry tongue.
• Cellulitis, which causes redness, swelling, and skin that is warm to the touch.
• Necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and serious infection that destroys skin and tissue.
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) a rare and life-threatening condition that causes fever, low blood pressure, organ failure, and a rash.

How is strep throat treated?

There is a rapid test for strep throat that can often confirm the diagnosis during a doctor’s visit. Your health care provider may swab your child’s throat to test for strep infection. Amoxicillin (or an alternative antibiotic for those with penicillin allergies) usually gets children back to normal within 24-48 hours. Typically, an antibiotic ointment is used to treat the skin infection. For both infections, children tend to get better in a few days. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.

How is the strep infection transmitted?

The strep infection is spread through close contact with an infected person, such as through coughing, sneezing, or sharing drinks or utensils or by contact with infected wounds or objects.

How can I protect my family and prevent strep?

There are some basic measures you can take to prevent strep, including:

• Overall good hygiene is the best way to protect your family not only from strep but from other infections and illnesses too.
• Good hand hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of the infection.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.

When should I call the pediatrician?

If your child has a combination of a sore throat, fever, and swollen glands, you should call your pediatrician.

The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, when families gather for quality time and cherished traditions. However, for some, this time of year can also trigger feelings of loneliness, grief, guilt, and sadness.

When certain expectations for the holidays are not met, some may be confronted with feelings of loss, strains on their relationships, or financial stress. And some might simply feel “holiday blues” when the season is over.

Experiencing some of these feelings is to be expected. In fact, it’s probably more common than you think. But how can you identify the differences between “holiday blues,” seasonal affective disorder, and clinical depression?

In this Q&A, Grant Mitchell, MD, Chair of Psychiatry at the Mount Sinai-Behavioral Health Center, explains what may be triggering your concerns, when you may need to seek professional advice, and what unique services Mount Sinai offers.

What are some common triggers for “holiday blues” or anxiety?

There are many reasons why you might experience the “holiday blues” or anxiety. People experience stress from the financial strain of holiday spending, or the travel plans and busy social schedules often associated with this time of year. Anxiety can be triggered by a heightened awareness of social isolation or increased expectations of feeling joy and togetherness. In addition to these triggers, the holidays can also resurface sad feelings associated with family conflicts or the loss of a loved one. All of these triggers can be more likely to happen during the holiday season, so it is important to identify them early.

How can people tell the difference between “holiday blues” and clinical depression?

While some symptoms of “holiday blues” may be like clinical depression, they usually do not have a major impact on daily functioning and are tied to specific situations. Symptoms of clinical depression are generally more severe, persistent, and usually interfere with your ability to maintain your usual routines.

Signs of clinical depression include:

• Lasting sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in things previously enjoyed
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of self-harm

Grant Mitchell, MD, at the Mount Sinai-Behavioral Health Center

What is seasonal affective disorder, and how does it differ from the “holiday blues”?

While the “holiday blues” and seasonal affective disorder can coexist, SAD is a specific type of clinical depression linked to the reduction in daylight that typically begins in the fall and continues through the winter. The reduction in sunlight can disrupt your body’s normal rhythms, leading to fatigue, sadness, poor sleep, and loss of interest in activities. When combined with holiday stressors, SAD can intensify the feelings of sadness and withdrawal.

When should you consider seeking professional help for their holiday sadness?

Seek professional help if changes in sleep or appetite, feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness persist beyond the holidays and are severe enough to disrupt your daily life or include thoughts of self-harm. Early intervention and support from a mental health professional can prevent symptoms from worsening.

How can friends and family support someone feeling down during the holidays?

If you think a friend or family member is experiencing sadness during the holidays, you can provide helpful support. Checking in, with a simple phone call or text, and validating the feelings they are having, can make a big difference. Including loved ones in plans or respecting their need for space is a great way to show that you are listening and understanding their needs. If your friend or family member seems to have severe distress, or the feelings persist after the holidays are over, encourage them to seek professional help.

What can I do if I am feeling down during the holidays?

Feeling sad or lonely during the holidays is more common than people think. It doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you, but it means it’s important to take extra steps to ensure you’re taking care of your mental health. Try these five steps :

• Prioritize your self-care and things that bring you joy.
• Ensure you are getting enough rest and exercise.
• Set small goals you can achieve each day, especially when the world around you slows down for the holidays.
• Surround yourself with people who listen and provide comfort.
• Keep in mind that you are not alone.

How can Mount Sinai help?

Mount Sinai offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient services throughout New York City for those experiencing symptoms related to sadness, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Behavioral Health Express Care, located at the Mount Sinai-Behavioral Health Center, is a walk-in service providing evaluations, brief counseling, and medication (if needed) for adults experiencing a mental health crisis or needing acute substance use treatment. No appointment is needed, and the service is open Monday-Thursday 8 am to 6:30 pm and Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 2:30 pm.

With everything going on in your world, it can be easy to overlook the basics when it comes to your health, and the well-being of those around you. So here’s a friendly reminder: Don’t forget your flu shot.

While vaccines may have been in the news lately, there is general agreement on the benefits of the flu vaccine. Indeed, the recommendation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not changed: Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, with rare exceptions.

There are two basic reasons to get vaccinated for the flu, according to Bernard Camins, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

• The vaccine may not completely prevent you from getting the flu, but the infection, if you do get the flu, will be less severe and can prevent you from being hospitalized. This is especially important for those at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications, including those 65 and older; those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease; those who are pregnant; and children younger than five. Getting vaccinated also means you are less likely to expose others to the virus, notably those who may be more at risk for complications.
• You need to get the vaccine every year. Immunity can wane after a few months. Plus, the strains of the influenza virus can change from year to year, so previous vaccinations are not as effective against the current circulating strain.

If you are looking for more reasons to get the flu shot, consider these basic flu facts:

• It takes about two weeks for vaccines to be effective, and flu season usually peaks between December and January.
• The CDC recommends that those over age 65 get a version of the vaccine that elicits a more robust immune response. (You can talk with your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions about whether this is for you.) And you can get the flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly. Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days, according to the CDC.
• Some may dismiss the seasonal flu as little different from the common cold. In fact, it is much more severe with 560,000 hospitalizations and 38,000 deaths attributed to the flu in the United States last season. Symptoms of flu include sudden onset of fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. If you are feeling these symptoms from the flu, stay home.  If they worsen or if you have difficulty breathing, call your health care provider.
• Vaccination will play a key role in reducing influenza hospitalizations this season. Influenza vaccines prevented an estimated 240,000 hospitalizations during the 2024-2025 season, primarily in adults aged 65 years and older, according to the CDC. The flu vaccine also prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year., and helps people avoid missing work and school.