Causes Of Streptococcal Pharyngitis And How To Distinguish Them

Causes of streptococcal pharyngitis and how to distinguish them

by Men's Reporter Team

Strep throat is a highly contagious infection caused by group A bacteria. streptococcus Bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes). It is more common in children, but can also affect adults. Symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, fever, and a swollen throat, uvula, and tonsils.

Health care providers use several tests to diagnose strep throat. It is treated with antibiotics, but symptoms can be managed with medications and home remedies until the infection clears up. Although rare, strep throat can cause serious complications.

Berrywell / Emily Roberts

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a sore throat and fever. Most sore throats are not strep throat, but if your sore throat is severe and you have additional symptoms, you should see your health care provider for diagnosis.

Untreated strep throat can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever and kidney problems. Strep throat is most common in children, but adults can also get it.

Throat symptoms of streptococcal infection

People usually start feeling sick two to five days after being exposed to the bacteria that causes strep throat. Symptoms of strep throat vary, but the most common is a severe sore throat.

Other symptoms of strep throat include:

Difficulty or pain when swallowing (may be felt in the ear on the same side) Fever (above 101 degrees Fahrenheit) Red, swollen tonsils may have white spots or streaks of pus on the roof of the tonsils Small red spots in the mouth (called petechiae) Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck Swollen uvula (the piece of fleshy tissue that hangs at the back of the throat) Chills Fatigue Headache Loss of appetite Abdominal pain

Symptoms of strep throat usually last about a week.

When should you see a health care provider?

Especially in children, a severe sore throat that lasts for more than 2 days is a good reason to seek medical attention, especially if it is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Tender, swollen lymph nodes fever rash difficulty swallowing or breathing

You should also talk to your health care provider if your symptoms persist 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics.

What can be mistaken for strep throat?

Strep infections are not the only infections that can cause a sore throat. In fact, viral illnesses that cause sore throats (such as the common cold) are more common than strep throat.

There are a few things about sore throats caused by strep throat and viral infections that can help you know if you have strep throat.

Strep throat may start suddenly with a fever. Sore throats caused by viral infections tend to develop gradually. If you have strep throat, you usually don’t have a cough. A sore throat caused by a virus is likely to be accompanied by a cough along with other cold symptoms, such as:

Runny nose, hoarse voice, eye infection (conjunctivitis), commonly referred to as “sunny eye”

The main symptoms of strep throat are a sore throat accompanied by a sudden onset of fever and chills. Your tonsils may be red and swollen. There may also be white streaks or pus. Although you may also feel tired and have a headache, a cough is usually not a symptom of strep throat.

cause

Streptococcal pharyngitis is spread in saliva and other body fluids that contain group A streptococci. If someone with strep throat coughs or sneezes around you, you can be exposed to bacteria that spreads through the air. You can also become infected if you touch someone or something that has bacteria on it.

How long is a strep throat infection?

Strep throat is highly contagious through airborne particles, touching contaminated surfaces, and sharing personal items such as eating utensils. You will feel sick about 2 to 5 days after exposure. The infection is no longer contagious 24 to 48 hours after taking antibiotics. Good hygiene practices, such as hand washing, can help prevent strep throat.

risk factors

Some people are more susceptible to streptococcal infections than others, such as people with weakened immune systems, people undergoing chemotherapy, infants and young children, and pregnant women.

Strep throat can occur at any time of the year, but you are more likely to get it in the winter or early spring. Bacteria can spread easily in indoor areas where many people gather.

complications

Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications, including:

Scarlet fever, a streptococcal infection that causes a rash Inflammation of the kidneys Rheumatic fever, which causes inflammation of the heart, joints, nervous system, and skin Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints Guttate psoriasis (skin disease) near the tonsils abscess

A rare condition called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder is associated with group A streptococcus, but the link has not been proven.

Can streptococcal pharyngitis be cured naturally?

Strep throat symptoms usually clear up within a week without treatment, but strep throat can cause more severe symptoms if left untreated. For example, a child with a rash of red bumps may have an infection with streptococcus, which causes scarlet fever. It is important to receive accurate diagnosis and treatment from your health care provider.

diagnosis

Your health care provider can usually tell if you have strep throat. Throat health experts called. otorhinolaryngologistand can also diagnose infections.

They will ask you questions about your symptoms and examine your throat and neck. Look for signs of strep throat, such as:

Red, swollen, or pus-like white spots on the throat or tonsils A rash on the body that starts on the neck or chest Red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae) Swollen tonsils (tonsillitis) Swollen lymph nodes

Your health care provider may perform several tests to determine whether you have strep throat. These strep throat tests may include:

The rapid strep test uses a sample of saliva taken from the back of the throat. The results only take a few minutes, but in some cases the results may be incorrect. A rapid test for strep throat may show that you don’t have strep throat when you actually have strep throat. This is called a false negative test result. Throat cultures use a tissue sample taken from the back of the throat using a cotton swab. The sample is sent to a lab, where a technician examines it to check for bacterial growth. It takes several days to get results, but it is the most accurate test for strep throat.

process

Your health care provider will want to make sure that your sore throat is not due to another reason before deciding on treatment. For example, viral diseases cannot be treated with antibiotics.

However, if you have a strep infection, it means you have a bacterial infection. In this case, antibiotics will be required. Antibiotics that treat strep throat include a variety of antibiotics, including:

Your health care provider will review your medical records and discuss your health status before deciding which antibiotics to give. For example, if you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe you another type of antibiotic.

In some cases, antibiotics may not be strong enough to cure a strep infection. This is called antibiotic resistance. If you are being treated for strep throat and your symptoms do not improve, your health care provider will change your treatment.

If you have strep throat, you should stay at home for 24 to 48 hours before taking antibiotics. After that, you are no longer contagious and cannot spread strep throat to others.

It is important to take your antibiotic prescription exactly as directed. You need to finish taking all your medicines, even if you start to feel better.

If you stop taking antibiotics too soon, the infection may not go away. In fact, it may get worse. Infection can also lead to serious complications.

What is the best antibiotic for strep throat?

Antibiotics used for strep throat vary, and treatment choices are not the same for everyone. For example, you may have an allergic reaction to one drug and need to be treated with another. Your health care provider will choose from among commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Home remedies and pain control

Symptoms of strep throat, such as fever, muscle aches, and headache, can usually be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen. Home remedies for strep throat, such as drinking cold drinks or popsicles, can also help relieve a sore throat.

Getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious food (even if it hurts to swallow) will also help your body recover.

prevention

Strep throat is highly contagious. It is easily transmitted from person to person. If someone in your home has strep throat, here are steps you can take to reduce the chance of infection.

Do not share personal items such as towels, cups, and eating utensils with someone who is sick. Wash clothes and bedding in hot water. Keep your hands clean (meaning washing your hands properly and often). Remind sick people to cover their hands. mouth when coughing or sneezing

Have you ever been around someone who has strep throat?

The saliva and other body fluids of people who have strep throat contain bacteria. When they cough or sneeze, they can easily spread the virus to others. Sharing drinks and touching used objects can also spread the infection. Avoid catching the virus from others in your home by not using the same personal items, washing clothing and bedding in hot water, and washing your hands frequently.

prognosis

Strep throat usually gets better in about a week, as long as you follow your health care provider’s instructions. Most people who get a streptococcal infection do not have serious side effects or long-term problems from the disease.

Your health care provider will let you know how long you should stay at home to recover and when you can return to your normal activities. Even if you start feeling better right away, follow these instructions. This will prevent you from spreading the infection to others or pushing yourself too hard before you have fully recovered.

If you are following your treatment plan and still don’t feel well, or if you start to feel sick, tell your health care provider right away. Other treatments may be needed to ensure the infection is cured and to prevent complications.

If you follow a strep throat treatment plan, your symptoms should improve in about a week. Tell your health care provider right away if you don’t feel well or if you start to feel sick. Other treatments may be required.

summary

Strep throat is a common infection caused by bacteria. The most common symptom is a very sore throat. The tonsils may also become swollen and filled with pus. Your health care provider can test for infection by taking a sample from your throat and seeing if bacteria are growing in it.

Strep throat is caused by bacteria and can usually be treated with antibiotics. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications, such as cold drinks and ibuprofen, can help relieve symptoms.

Most people recover from strep throat in about a week and have no long-term problems. However, if you stop prescribed treatment too soon, your infection may not improve. It can also cause serious complications.

Christine Hayes, RN

Kristin Hayes, RN is a registered nurse who specializes in ear, nose, and throat conditions in both adults and children.

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