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Strep Throat Or Similar Infections May Trigger Or Worsen Certain Problems In Children

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – PANDAS: pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with strep is controversial and scientists are still trying to prove it exits, but Dr. Thomas Klein Chief of the Allergy Section at Riddle Memorial Hospital says some children with Obsessive Compulsive and Tic disorders such as Tourettes' can see symptoms get worse or suddenly appear when they get a strep infection.

"Children with PANDAS seem to have dramatic ups and downs in their tic severity or obsessive compulsive disorder and the severity may suddenly worsen following an infection."

Dr. Klein
(credit: Tom Klein, MD)

He says once the infection is treated, the symptoms lesson and go back to what is normal for that child, only to get worse during the next strep infection.

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