Strep Throat (Pharyngitis) Awareness
Strep throat is a contagious bacterial throat infection caused by the germ called Group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Strep throat is common in children between the ages of 5 - 15 years although it can occur at any age.
It is often common in the late fall and early spring.
It is important to treat strep throat as soon as you experience symptoms as untreated strep throat may lead to complication like kidney damage and rheumatic fever which in turn leads to swollen joints and heart valve damage.
CAUSES This disease is caused by a bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pyogens.
This is a highly contagious bacteria that invades the pharyngeal tissue and causes a localized inflammatory reaction.
This is a contagious illness that spread from person to person through close contact with saliva or nasal secretions of an infected individual in the form of airborne droplets when the person sneezes or coughs or through shared drinks and food.
The bacteria may also be picked if you touch an infected surface like a door knob and transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.
SYMPTOMS Symptoms of pharyngitis often show up between 1 - 4 days of infection and may range from mild to severe.
Fever usually starts suddenly and is highest on the second day.
This may be accompanied by chills.
A sore throat may also start suddenly.
Other symptoms may include:
This is given to prevent rare but also serious complications like rheumatic fever.
Antibiotics - Your doctor will first prescribe an oral antibiotic for treatment.
These include: Penicillin - This is usually given in the oral form but in children who are vomiting or having difficulty swallowing, it may be given in the form of an injection.
Amoxicillin - This is the preferred choice for children because it's available as a chewable table and it does taste better than penicillin.
In a case where the child is allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescibe Clindamycin, Azithromycin (Zithromax and Zmax), Clarithromycin (Biaxin) or a cephalosporin like cephalexin (Keflex).
These may reduce duration and severity of symptoms and prevent complications.
They may also reduce the risk of the disease spreading to others.
PREVENTION Here are a few tips that will help you prevent strep throat.
These are: Cover your mouth when you sneeze.
Do not share personal items if you are infected.
Clean you hands regularly and thoroughly with water or soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Strep throat is common in children between the ages of 5 - 15 years although it can occur at any age.
It is often common in the late fall and early spring.
It is important to treat strep throat as soon as you experience symptoms as untreated strep throat may lead to complication like kidney damage and rheumatic fever which in turn leads to swollen joints and heart valve damage.
CAUSES This disease is caused by a bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pyogens.
This is a highly contagious bacteria that invades the pharyngeal tissue and causes a localized inflammatory reaction.
This is a contagious illness that spread from person to person through close contact with saliva or nasal secretions of an infected individual in the form of airborne droplets when the person sneezes or coughs or through shared drinks and food.
The bacteria may also be picked if you touch an infected surface like a door knob and transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.
SYMPTOMS Symptoms of pharyngitis often show up between 1 - 4 days of infection and may range from mild to severe.
Fever usually starts suddenly and is highest on the second day.
This may be accompanied by chills.
A sore throat may also start suddenly.
Other symptoms may include:
- fever
- headache
- fatigue
- scarlet fever like rash
- stomach-ache
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- nausea and vomiting
This is given to prevent rare but also serious complications like rheumatic fever.
Antibiotics - Your doctor will first prescribe an oral antibiotic for treatment.
These include: Penicillin - This is usually given in the oral form but in children who are vomiting or having difficulty swallowing, it may be given in the form of an injection.
Amoxicillin - This is the preferred choice for children because it's available as a chewable table and it does taste better than penicillin.
In a case where the child is allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescibe Clindamycin, Azithromycin (Zithromax and Zmax), Clarithromycin (Biaxin) or a cephalosporin like cephalexin (Keflex).
These may reduce duration and severity of symptoms and prevent complications.
They may also reduce the risk of the disease spreading to others.
PREVENTION Here are a few tips that will help you prevent strep throat.
These are: Cover your mouth when you sneeze.
Do not share personal items if you are infected.
Clean you hands regularly and thoroughly with water or soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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