General info
Strep throat is an infection caused by a group A streptococcal infection. In medical dictionaries, it is also called Streptococcal pharyngitis, streptococcal tonsillitis, or streptococcal sore throat. It is better known as a type of pharyngitis. It affects the throat and its main parts, the pharynx, especially the tonsils and the larynx. It can occur at adults and children as well, even though it is more likely at children with the age between five and fifteen years old.
How do you get infected?
Strep throat is a contagious infection and usually you can get infected if you have contact with an person that it is already infected. You can also get it from infected food or objects, such as toothbrushes or doorknobs. Among the most common symptoms of strep throat, you will find fever, throat irritation and the enlargement of lymphatic nodes. Usually you will feel the symptoms within two or maybe three days after infect. This is the normal incubation time of this bacterium, but sometimes it can last even more.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
As I said, high fever, over 101 f(38 degrees Celsius), headaches, pains, nausea, difficulty of swallowing, sudden and severe sore throat, dark red spots on the roof of the mouth, swollen tonsils, and one of the most visible ones, the enlargement of lymphatic nodes on the neck. Some of these symptoms can appear for other medical problems, such as a flus or viral infections. You have to separate symptoms of strep throat from the others in order to have a proper treatment.
What is the treatment for strep throat?
Depending on the symptoms of strep throat that a person has, the treatment can be slightly different. However, antibiotics such as Penicillin, Cephalexin, or Amoxicillin are the most used ones, together with nonprescription medicines, such as anesthetic throat sprays or acetaminophen. These will prevent severe symptoms of strep throat, such as fever and pains. Even though symptoms of strep throat can disappear in three up to seven days, with or without treatment, the best things to do is to choose antibiotics also. This way you will be sure that you will kill the bacteria, you will not be contagious, and even more the symptoms of strep throat will not be so severe. If you want to start your normal life as soon as possible, you should go for it. Do not forget that you have to take medicines within 2 or 3 days from the apparition of the infection, or they won't have any kind of effect in easing the symptoms. Delaying the treatment with few days is a good thing to do because this way your body will create its own defense system and you will be able to become immune for future infections. If these treatments do not work, surgery is the last solution. You have to decide if it is worth it or not. You have to take in consideration the risks and effects. However, if it the situation requires it, you have to do it. A surgery will reduce the probability for these infections to appear.
Which are the possible complications?
Even though the complications for strep throat are very rare, they can appear if this infection is not treated on time. Due to new medical innovations, this is not considered a serious problem, at least if the complications are not appearing. Among the most known ones you will find acute rheumatic fever and Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. It is true that in developed countries this is not a serious problem, only a small number of patients are suffering of complications, but in poor countries with lack of medicines these problems can be fatal.
How to prevent strep throat?
There are lots of methods that can help you to protect against strep throat. The best one is to stay away from infected persons. You have to wash your hands as often as possible, and it is forbidden to use objects from infected patients, such as toothbrushes, or even food. This infection appears in the late wintertime or early springtime because in that period the immune system is damaged. You have to help it with a proper alimentation and enough sleep. You can also take vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C. In order to reduce the symptoms of strep throat you have to drink as much fluids as possible, and you will need a moist air. Using a humidifier in the winter can be useful. If your throat is moist, it will fight better against bacteria. Studies have shown that stress is another thing that can destroy your immune system. Do not stress too much and try to have a happy life. You will feel better and you will have a beautiful life. Forget worries, they do not bring you any good. In order not to infect others you have to avoid large crowds of people, at least in the first 24 hours of taking antibiotics. After that, you will not be contagious anymore, because the bacteria will die. Try not to sneeze or cough, and use paper tissues that you can throw instead of handkerchiefs.
What should you do?
If you think that you have symptoms of strep throat you have to visit a doctor for further tests. He will give you a physical exam, a rapid strep test or a throat culture. After that, he will be able to determine if you have strep throat, a cold, or a viral infection. This way you will gain a proper treatment and in several days, you will be able to return to your normal life. Try to prevent as much as possible this situation. It will be painful and it will create a great discomfort. Protect your children also, because they are more likely to be infected with this bacterium than adults are. If you want to go for an operation, you have to understand which the risks are. Health is very important for you and your family and this is why you have to be careful what you do.