Strep Throat – Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is known for making the throat scratchy and sore. The issue can affect people of all ages, but it is more common among children. Unfortunately, if the infection is not treated in time, it can cause complications such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can then cause more serious problems, including heart valve damage, joint pain, and inflammation. Therefore, if you have symptoms that indicate you could be suffering from strep throat, it is imperative for you to seek immediate medical attention at a reliable urgent care facility, such as Express Lane Urgent Care in Turlock, CA. Below are some important facts about strep throat that you should keep in mind.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
Strep throat is associated with many symptoms. Some of the most common ones include:
- Sudden throat pain
- Painful swallowing
- Fever
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting
- Body aches
- Tender and swollen lymph nodes
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Headache
However, it is imperative for you to remember that having some of these symptoms does not mean that you or your child has strep throat. This is because these signs and symptoms can also result from viral infections and even other illnesses. As such, you must be tested to be sure that you need treatment for strep throat.
Causes of Strep Throat
Strep throat is usually caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus Pyogenes, commonly referred to as group A Streptococcus. The infection is highly contagious and it can be transmitted from one person to another through airborne droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It is also possible for you to pick up the bacteria from surfaces such as doorknobs.
Some of the risk factors for the infection include those young in age, as well as time of the year. To be precise, although infection can affect people of all ages, children are at a higher risk of getting infected. Although you can get strep throat at any time of the year, the infection tends to spread more during winter and early spring.
Prevention and Treatment
Perhaps, one of the best ways of dealing with strep throat is preventing yourself from getting infected. Some of the ways in which you can prevent yourself from getting strep throat include cleaning your hands regularly and avoiding sharing personal items such as eating utensils and drinking glasses.
Once you have been diagnosed with strep throat, there are several ways in which your doctor can help you to manage it. Most likely, the doctor is going to prescribe an oral antibiotic. If the medication is taken within two days of the onset of the illness, the severity and the duration of the symptoms can be significantly reduced. Your doctor can also prescribe symptom management medications such as ibuprofen.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause some serious symptoms and even complications if left untreated. The good news is that with the assistance of a reliable urgent care physician, the issue can easily be managed and treated. Therefore, it is imperative for you to take note of any emerging symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible.