Strep Throat Symptoms

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. Strep throat inflames the pharynx and causes swollen tonsils. It also affects the adenoids. Very similar to the symptoms of a sore throat, strep throat will occur mostly in young children of school age. Streptococcal bacteria, which cause this infection, colonize the nose, throat and skin. It is infectious and can be passed on to others when an infected person sneezes or coughs. This disease can easily be mistaken for a sore throat or tonsillitis. The difference however is that sore throats are a result of viral infections while strep throat occurs due to bacterial infection. Viral infections resolve on their own, depending on the life cycle of the virus, and only need soothing remedies. However, bacterial infections need medical intervention with antibiotics and can become worse if left untreated.

Causes of Strep Throat

As strep throat is spread through airborne bacteria, it is important to be aware of what causes the illness and how it can be caught. One can come into contact with this bacterial infection through contact with another person infected with the disease. Strep is most prevalent among students and, due to its highly contagious nature, it is easy to spread among school children who are in close proximity to each other. Eating contaminated foods and consuming water or food from the same utensils that have been used by a person infected by the bacteria is an uncommon, but another probable, method of spreading Streptococcal bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat

The symptoms associated with strep throat will initially be similar to that of sore throat. However, over a period of a few days these symptoms will change. Being aware of the symptoms that differentiate strep from a common sore throat will help identify it in time to seek medical attention. The following are some of the distinguishable strep throat symptoms:

• An ache in the back of the throat similar to that of a sore throat
• Pain and difficulty in swallowing
• The lymph nodes on the side of the neck will tend to swell
• Red or white patches on the tonsils
• Headaches
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius (101 degrees Fahrenheit) or above
• Poor appetite
• Scarlet fever, which is marked by a red spotty rash that is caused by the toxins released by the bacteria (not all those affected by Strep will be sensitive to the toxin and develop this rash)
• Vomiting
• Body aches

Most often, symptoms of strep throat cannot be distinguished easily in children and it is best to monitor closely for signs that indicate that the infection is much more than a common sore throat. Once the possibility of a sore throat is ruled out, immediate medical attention must be sought and antibiotic treatments should be administered. Strep throat used to be an illness that caused death among children prior to development of antibiotics. This should be an indication of how severe the illness can be if left untreated.

Although strep throat is not very common among infants, there is a chance that any infant who shows signs of a cough, feeds less than normal, is irritable and has a low grade fever might have contracted strep throat. In young children, abdominal pain too might materialize in addition to the above symptoms. The age group that is mostly affected by the illness is teenagers; strep throat symptoms in them will be more severe than for others. Although strep in adults is not very common, they too can be affected with severe symptoms.

Preventing Strep Throat

As strep throat is highly contagious all precautionary methods should be taken to ensure it does not spread easily. As there is no vaccine available to prevent strep throat from spreading the following precautionary methods should be practiced.

• The first step in preventing the spread of strep throat is to avoid a person who has symptoms associated with strep throat.
• Washing hands often will help prevent the spread of strep or any other viral or bacterial infections.
• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue will also help prevent or reduce the release of the germ to the environment.
• Avoid sharing food and drinks, as saliva of an infected person is very effective in spreading strep.
• Avoid the use of utensils which could have been used by an infected person. Ensuring that the utensils are thoroughly washed and sanitized will prevent it from spreading.
• Building up the immune system with a balanced diet and exercise will help to avoid contracting any infection, including strep.
• When mucus membranes are moist they are more able to fight bacteria. Therefore, using a humidifier in the home environment will help to prevent strep bacteria from thriving and spreading.

Treating Strep Throat

No matter how careful a person may be about the prevention of strep throat, there will be times when they may be infected with it. Strep throat can turn into a more serious illness such as scarlet fever or joint pains and even heart conditions. When a person is diagnosed with the symptoms of strep throat, they will most often be prescribed an antibiotic targeting the respiratory tract. Penicillin and Amoxicillin are common oral antibiotics which are prescribed to children. However, as most children and adults may be allergic to penicillin, Erythromycin or Azithromycin are being used as effective alternative drugs. Other medications containing Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen will also be prescribed to relieve throat pain and fever associated with strep. Home remedies such as gargling with warm salty water, drinking plenty of fluids and sucking on medicated lozenges will help relieve some of the discomforts associated with the illness.

Strep throat - that is often mistaken as a common sore throat - can become a serious illness. With a good understanding of the symptoms and how to avoid the spread and contraction of germs, you can avoid any complications that can result from strep throat disease. Therefore, being responsible for containing the spread of the bacteria as well as taking precautionary measures to avoid contracting the germ are the most important aspects of managing this contagious disease.