Few things are as painful as strep throat. Strep is a
burning sensation that is there every time you swallow. It’s nasty, it’s
irritating and just plain makes you miserable.
Just like the flu and the common cold, this dreaded illness
is most common when the outdoor temperatures get colder. Strep throat, often simply
called strep, is common among children ages 5 to 15, and always increases in
late fall, winter and early spring. It is caused by group A Streptococcus
bacteria, which live in the nose and throat.
The spread of strep
People infected with strep spread the illness by coughing or
sneezing, creating small respiratory droplets containing the bacteria. Other
people can become infected if they breathe in the droplets, touch something
with the droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose, share the same cup
or plate as an infected person or touch skin sores caused by strep (impetigo).
Rarely, a person may become infected through food that is improperly handled.
Strep can spread quickly wherever there is close contact or
large groups of people, making schools and daycare centers a prime breeding
ground for the illness. However, that doesn’t mean adults can’t get strep. It’s
just more common among children.
Symptoms
Though it’s generally a mild infection, strep throat can be
very painful. Infected persons will become ill two to five days after being
exposed to the bacteria. Common symptoms include:
- Sore throat that comes on very quickly
- Pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Additional symptoms may include headache, stomach pain, nausea
or vomiting, especially in children. Some people who contract strep throat also
develop a rash known as scarlet
fever.
Strep’s symptoms can mimic viral illnesses. If the illness
also includes cough, runny nose, hoarseness of voice and/or conjunctivitis
(pink eye), the culprit is not strep but a virus.
Diagnosis and
treatment
Diagnosis comes from your doctor, who will perform a rapid
strep test or throat culture. Upon confirming the diagnosis, your doctor will
treat you with antibiotics – either penicillin, or amoxicillin if the patient
has a penicillin allergy. The medication decreases symptoms and the length of
illness, and prevents the spread of bacteria and serious complications.
Serious complications are uncommon but may include:
- Abscesses, or pockets of pus, around the tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Sinus infections
- Ear infections
- Rheumatic fever
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
People infected with strep should stay home from work,
daycare or school until they no longer have a fever AND have taken antibiotics
for at least 24 hours. Symptoms should start to ease within a day or two after
beginning antibiotic treatment.
Prevention
Practicing good hygiene habits is the best way to prevent
the spread of strep throat.
Always cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you use a tissue, put the used tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a
tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow. After coughing or
sneezing, always with your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20
seconds. Alternatively, if soap and water are unavailable, you may use an
alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Wash any glasses, utensils and plates after they have been
used by someone who is sick. Once washed, these items are safe to use.
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