These kids don't really 'have' strep in most cases. They've been exposed and are carriers but they aren't physically ill in most cases.

Whoa - I had a lot of strep as a kid, and OCD, though not rapid onset. I still wonder if there's a relationship...

1000's of parents are probably still less than 1% - it IS rare and it is certainly not the cause of most of the OCD cases and symptoms in kids.

I am happy to see any attention brought forth for PANDAS/PANS. However, there are many inaccuracies in this article. PANDAS is NOT rare; 1000's of parents can attest to this. Often there is more than one child per family with PANDAS. It was stated that PANDAS occurs in less than 1% of children with strep throat. There is no statistical evidence supporting this statement, that was an arbitrary figure.

The diagnostic criteria is not limited to OCD or tics. In fact, many children do not have tics with PANDAS (some do).

There is now mounting evidence that other infections trigger this autoimmune disease; Mycoplasma, Lyme disease, viruses (coxsackie, HHV6, EBV) to name a few.

I am glad this child has found interventions that work for him, but it should be noted that many PANDAS kids have had severe adverse reactions to psych medications.

Based on shared experience from other parents it is my understanding that Duke was turning away PANDAS patients & have a lot to learn about PANDAS.

I think it is more common than previously thought; my barber's son had the same issue.

My son was diagnosed 8 years ago (his was 6 years ago) when we were referred to a neuorologist for all sorts of scary symptoms. After testing for brain tumors, she did a strep test and his titer (a blood test for the presence of antibodies) was 10 times the normal level, which indicates exposure. The symptoms responded very well to the antibiotics she gave him.

He still has occasional bouts, but at least now we know what it is and how to deal with it. The OCD symptoms are only one of the many symptoms one can experience with this.

And alot of doctors, especially those who are studying PANDA, are super duper quick to want to pin the cause of OCD type symptoms on it. Parents, DON'T readily accept a diagnosis of PANDA. It IS indeed rare and trying to go that route when it's really a psychological issue is only hurting your child.

Kowen, you are so correct! There are so many children being misdiagnosed with Tourette's syndrome (as my son was) when it is really caused by strep. My son has struggled with this condition for over 9 years now and is going into adulthood with terrible neurologic tics and OCD caused by a case of strep with no typical symptoms of strep.

This condition is not nearly as rare as it appears. It is important to know that strep is not the only thing that triggers P.A.N.D.A's....lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses are just as often the cause. Research and treatment for this horrific condition needs to done immediately.

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