All about of Strep Throat - Duniya Health

Everything you need to know about strep throat

Strep Throat

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes swelling and pain in the throat. This common condition is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat can affect children and adults of all ages.

However, it is particularly common in children between 5 and 15 years of age. The infection can spread from one person to another by sneezing and coughing.

Symptoms of throat

The severity of strep throat may vary from person to person. Some people experience mild symptoms such as a sore throat. Others have more severe symptoms, including fever and difficulty swallowing.

Common symptoms of strep throat include:

• Sudden fever, especially if it is 101˚F (38) C) or more
• A sore throat, red throat with white patches
• head ache
• Chills
• loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Trouble swallowing

These symptoms usually develop within five days of exposure to strep bacteria. Find out more about sore throats without fever.

How contagious is strep throat?

Strep throat is a highly contagious bacterial infection.

It is usually spread through small respiratory droplets that become airborne when a strep sneezes into the throat or coughs. Learn more about why the strep throat is so contagious.

stiff neck

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus (also known as group A strep, or GAS).

If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after coming in contact with these bacteria then you can get infected with strep throat.

Along with coughing and sneezing, strep throat can be spread when you share food or drink with someone.

You can also get a strep throat by coming into contact with a contaminated object with group A strep bacteria such as dockernobes or taps, and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Strep throat diagnosis

See your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Sore throat that lasts more than two days
• Sore throat with white patch
• Dark, red splits or spots over the tonsils or mouth
• Fine, sore throat with a pink rash like sandpaper
• Shortness of breath
• difficulty swallowing

Your doctor will examine your throat and check for signs of inflammation. They can also examine your neck for swollen lymph nodes and ask for other symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you have a sore throat, they can do a rapid strep test at the office.

This test determines that a sore throat is caused by a strep infection or other type of bacteria or germ. Your doctor swells the back of your throat with a long cotton swab, collecting a sample. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to look for signs of bacteria.

Results are available in about 5 minutes. If your rapid strep test is negative, but your doctor thinks you have strep throat, then your sample may be sent to an external lab for additional testing. These results are available within a few days. Learn more about rapid strep test.

Treatment of strep throat

Because strep throat is a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. These drugs prevent the spread of bacteria and infection. Many types of antibiotics are available.

It is important that you complete the course of your antibiotic treatment to completely kill the infection. Some people stop taking their medication when symptoms improve, which can trigger a relapse. If this happens, the symptoms may return.

Penicillin and amoxicillin are the most common medications given for a strep infection. If you are allergic to penicillin or amoxicillin, your doctor may prescribe the antibiotic azithromycin. Learn more about Azithromycin for the treatment of strep throat.

Home remedies for sore throat

In addition to antibiotics, there are home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms of strep throat. These measures include:

• Hot water, such as drinking lemonade and tea
• Drinking cold fluids to numb the throat
• Turn on the cool-mist humidifier
• Taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Sucking on sore throat
• Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup of water and garnish the mixture

Natural remedies such as honey and apple cider vinegar can also help. Here are 12 natural ways to cure sore throat.

Strep throat prevention

There is no vaccine available that prevents strep throat. One of the most effective ways to help prevent infection is to wash your hands regularly. If you cannot use soap and water, you can use hand sanitizer instead.

Do not share a drink or meal with someone. If you have a sore throat in your house, do not share your towel, bed sheet or pillow. Wash dishes and wash clothes in warm and soapy water.

If you have a sore throat, sneeze or cough in your elbow or crooked tissue instead of your hand. Be sure to wash your hands frequently. Find more ways to stop strep throat.

Sore throat in adults

Strep throat is more common in children than in adults. Parents of school going children are more likely to be infected.

Adults who are often around children may also be susceptible to throat strain.

Sore throat vs strep throat

Sore throat is usually caused by the virus, while group A strep bacteria cause strep throat.

Not all sore throats are the result of a strep infection. Other diseases can also cause a sore throat. Are included:

• common cold
• A sinus infection
• post nasal drip
• Acid reflux

Sore throat usually improves on its own with or without treatment in a few days due to other medical conditions. Here are 10 ways to get relief from a sore throat.

Strep throat in toddlers

Although children are more likely to have a sore throat than adults, it is much less likely in children under 3 years of age. Strep throat is highest in children between 5 and 15 years of age.

Because it is so contagious, strep throat can easily spread where children gather, such as day care centers and schools. Find out what to do if your child has a sore throat.

Sore throat while pregnant

The bacteria that cause strep throat, group A streptococcus, is not the same as group B streptococcus, which is found around the vagina or rectum. While group B streptococcus can be passed on to a baby during delivery, it is unrelated to the bacteria that cause strep throat.

If you think you may have a sore throat during pregnancy, see your doctor immediately to discuss treatment options.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and will monitor your medications carefully. Get a better understanding of how to treat strep throat while pregnant.

Essential oil for strep throat

Essential oils are distilled from plant leaves, bark, stems and flowers. They can help promote healing by killing germs and reducing inflammation.

The medical benefits of essential oils are controversial. However, studies suggest that the following essential oils for the treatment of strep throat may be an effective alternative to over-the-counter medications:

• Carrom flowers
• Lavender
• tea tree
• Wild carrot, eucalyptus, and rosemary mixtures
• Eucalyptus
• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Ginger
• Garlic

It is not recommended to include these oils. They can be inhaled or diluted with oil and added to the bath. Learn more about using these essential oils to treat a sore throat.

Cold sore

Mostly the common cold is caused by the virus, while bacterial infection causes strep throat.

If you have a common cold, you usually have symptoms such as a cough, a runny nose, and hoarseness. These symptoms, especially cough, are not common with strep throat.

When your throat settles due to a cold, the pain usually develops slowly and disappears in a couple of days. Strep throat can cause sudden pain. It is more severe and can last for days.

The cold usually clears on its own without the need for medical treatment. To prevent complications, like rheumatic fever, antibiotics are usually prescribed for the treatment of strep throat.

Strep throat vs mono

Infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono (or "disease kissing"), is often a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It usually affects teenagers and young adults.

Like strep throat, mono symptoms may include a sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph glands. But unlike a strep throat that is caused by a bacterial infection, mono is a viral infection. It is not treated with antibiotics.

Your doctor may perform tests to determine if the sore throat is due to mono.

Strep throat recovery

To reduce your risk of complications, contact your doctor if your strep throat symptoms do not improve within 48 hours of taking the antibiotic. They may have to prescribe a different antibiotic to fight the infection.

If left, there may be serious complications in strep throat. These may include:

• ear infection
• Sinusitis
• Rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints, heart, and skin.
• Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys
• Mastoiditis, an infection of the mastoid bone in the skull
• Scarlet fever, which occurs when rash appears on various parts of the body due to toxins produced by strep infection.
• Gutti psoriasis, a condition that causes small, red colored tear spots on the body
• Peritonsillar abscess, a pus-filled infection that develops behind the tonsils

Outlook

You should start feeling better within a few days after starting treatment for strep throat.

If you do not have fever, you can return to work 24 hours after starting the antibiotic.