Strep throat refers to a bacterial infection that causes a sore, scratchy throat. Mostly, this infection affects kids ages five to fifteen. Though anyone may get it.
It is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and is spread by secretion from infections in an individual’s respiratory tract. It gets transmitted in droplets when the infected person sneezes/ coughs, and one-on-one or online strep throat treatment may help.
While you can recover from the infection without getting treatment, it is advisable to undergo testing if you experience several symptoms.
What Are the Common Symptoms?
Sore throat is the major sign when you have strep. Colds, as well as other viruses, might as well result in sore throat. The best way to determine the difference is that a virus may also lead to a runny nose.
With strep throat, however, sore throat normally comes on quickly and is likely to cause other symptoms, too, like the following:
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen tonsils
- White patches
- Loss of appetite
- Tiny red spots
- Tender lymph nodes
- Vomiting and nausea
Diagnosing strep throat involves several steps, including a throat culture and physical exam. Throat cultures provide a greater degree of certainty. A physician uses sterile swabs so as to collect throat samples, which are sent to the laboratory for analysis.
On the other hand, a physical exam involves your physician carrying out a test on your lymph glands and throat to look for any sign of tenderness and inflammation, among other signs. Your physician may also ask questions regarding the condition’s onset if you have non-visible symptoms, like nausea and headaches.
Some doctors may also diagnose strep throat through rapid antigen testing. This is a quick test – meaning your physician can determine if you have a group A infection right away. It involves using sterile swaps to get a fluid sample for a patient’s throat. The sample can get analyzed within a few minutes. If there is presence of antigens, then it means the bacteria causing strep throat has invaded your throat.
Doctors normally prescribe around seven days of antibiotic medicine to treat your strep throat. In about 28 hours after taking antibiotics, you won’t experience any fever, and the infection won’t be contagious either. Other symptoms will start going away after three or four days of medication.
Even when you feel better after three days, you need to take your medications as prescribed and finish your dose. This is a perfect way to completely get rid of the bacteria; otherwise, it might hide in your throat, and the symptoms might start returning.
Currently, there is a vaccine to prevent this throat condition. The best way to prevent the condition is to wash your hands regularly.
If water and soap are out of reach, consider using alcohol-based sanitizer instead. Plus, avoid sharing food or drinks with people who have strep throat.
Strep throat might be a literal pain in your neck. However, if you have enough rest and follow the doctor’s commands to the latter, you will return to normal within one week.