Strep throat duration and available therapies explained.
Strep throat, a common bacterial infection, is often associated with children, particularly those aged [redacted]. This condition is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes), a member of the group A Streptococcus.
The infection typically spreads through tiny droplets of infected mucus or moisture, often living in the throat and nose of infected individuals. Symptoms can include a painful sore throat that comes on quickly, red, swollen tonsils, fever, pain during swallowing, swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck, and tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth.
If you develop symptoms or have come into contact with the bacteria, it's crucial to talk to a doctor as soon as possible. A rapid strep test, which involves a doctor running a swab along someone's throat and testing the sample, is the only way to definitively diagnose strep throat. Throat culture, another diagnostic method, involves culturing throat samples from a swab.
Prevention methods include washing hands frequently, avoiding touching the nose, mouth, or face, avoiding contact with people who have contagious infections, and washing glasses, plates, utensils, and other items after someone with strep throat has used them.
People with strep throat are generally no longer contagious 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment, once the fever has resolved. Without antibiotics, the individual can remain contagious for up to 2 to 3 weeks, even if symptoms improve.
Common prevention methods also include taking antibiotics, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the upper elbow or shirt sleeve, and placing used tissues into the trash can or garbage. People with strep throat should stay home when symptomatic, avoid sharing food and drinks, plates, utensils, or glasses with others, and avoid using the same glass or straw.
Complications of strep throat can include abscesses, swollen lymph nodes, ear infections, sinus infections, rheumatic fever, and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat strep throat, usually penicillin or amoxicillin.
It's important to note that even people who are not experiencing symptoms can spread the bacteria. Severe sore throats, those that do not get better after a few days, swollen lymph nodes, or a high fever accompanying a sore throat are signs to talk to a doctor.
Taking antibiotics for strep throat reduces the length of time someone is sick, symptom severity, the chance of spreading it to others, and the chance of complications. The CDC recommends that people with strep throat stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours and have been taking antibiotics for at least 1 day.
Parents of children who go to school or are in contact with children are more likely to contract the bacteria as adults. The incubation period for strep throat is 2-5 days. The best way to reduce the risk of getting strep throat is to avoid exposure to infected droplets.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Strep throat. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-conditions/strep-throat.html [2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Strep throat. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20375425 [3] National Health Service (UK). (2020). Strep throat. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-throat/
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