What To Know About Strep Throat
Strep throat symptoms.
Strep throat, a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils, causes a sore or scratchy throat, as well as white patches on your tonsils.
It is highly contagious during the incubation period the two to five days after youre infected and before symptoms appear and stays contagious until your symptoms resolve, according to Jake Mefford, PA, clinical director for OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinics.
Hand hygiene and disinfecting commonly used surfaces frequently can decrease the risk of transmission of strep, Jake said.
Jake took time to answer more questions about strep:
How Do You Get Strep Throat
Group A strep lives in the throat and nose and can readily transmit to other people. Infected people spread the bacteria by chatting, coughing, or sneezing, creating microscopic respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. Strep also spreads through infected sores on the skin.
Like cold-causing viruses, you can also contract strep throat by touching your mouth or nose after handling a doorknob or other surface.
If youre exposed to group A strep, youll typically develop strep throat in two to five days. Not all infected people exhibit symptoms or appear ill, but those who have strep throat symptoms are far more contagious than those who don’t.
Home Remedies For A Sore Throat
Along with an antibiotic to treat strep, these home remedies will help you feel more comfortable.
- non-prescription pain medicine like ibuprofen
- gargling with warm salt water
- warm chicken soup
- warm tea with lemon
- electrolyte solution freezer pops
This is a case when grandmas remediesgargling with salt water and enjoying a bowl of chicken soupreally are the best. The warm, salty fluid soothes the throat tissues. I also suggest the freezer pops, especially for children whose throats are so sore that they are not eating or drinking much. It gives them a small amount of glucose along with the liquid.
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Symptoms Of A Strep A Infection
Common symptoms of strep A include:
- flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body
- a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper
- scabs and sores
- nausea and vomiting
Most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics.
But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep .
Is Strep Throat Overmedicated
Mmmm.
Sounds like the idea of not administering antibiotics for strep throat may not be as crazy as it first sounds. Are doctors overmedicating strep throat just like they overmedicate ear infections, colds and sinus/respiratory infections?
A round of antibiotics has the potential to cause permanent damage to the gut flora. This, in turn, has a lifelong impact on overall immunity to both chronic and acute illness. Skipping those antibiotic pills altogether may prove in the long run to be the smartest approach of all.
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Is It Possible To Stop Strep Throat From Recurring
If your immune system is compromised, it’s important to take good care of yourself by regularly eating nutritious, healthy meals with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s also vital to get enough sleep and find ways to reduce the stress in your life. Talk therapy is a great way to learn to manage stress and talk through your stressors.
Gentle exercises such as walking, yoga, swimming, or Tai Chi boost your endorphins, providing natural stress relief.
When taking medication for strep throat, be sure to finish all the medication, even if you start to feel better. However, if you have an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, stop taking it and contact your physician right away for a different treatment. If you think you dont have the correct dosage, it’s okay to seek further medical advice.
Lastly, encourage everyone in your family to practice good hygiene by regularly washing their hands, covering their mouth when they cough and avoiding sharing utensils, cups, and dishes.
What Are The Risks Of Taking Antibiotics For Sore Throat
Antibiotics may cause side effects, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Besides side effects, there are other good reasons not to use antibiotics unless you really need them.
- Antibiotics cost money.
- You will probably have to see the doctor to get a prescription. This costs you time.
- If you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, they may not work when you do need them. Each time you take antibiotics, you are more likely to carry some bacteria that were not killed by the medicine. Over time, these bacteria get tougher and can cause longer and more serious infections. To treat them, you may need different, stronger, and more costly antibiotics.
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How Can I Avoid Getting Strep Throat
To steer clear of strep throat and its unpleasant symptoms, follow a couple of simple yet effective practices in your day-to-day life. First and foremost, wash your hands regularly. It doesnt need to be antibacterial soap, says Moore. Regular soap and water can wash away all the potential germs responsible for spreading strep throat. Moore also encourages people to avoid sharing drinks or foods with one another, even among family members.
If you already have strep throat symptoms or have been diagnosed with strep throat, keep in mind that you are typically most contagious when you have a fever. Once you have started taking antibiotics, the general rule of thumb is 24 hours or two doses of antibiotics for most prescriptions before you are no longer contagious, says Moore. As is the case when trying to escape strep throat, handwashing and avoiding close contact with other people are key to be sure you dont spread your strep infection.
When Should You Go To An Omaha Urgent Care For Strep Throat
Individuals with a sore throat, especially if accompanied by fever or other associated symptoms, should consider consulting a healthcare professional. It is often too difficult to know definitively whether or not strep throat is present without a professional evaluation. Furthermore, there are other serious causes of sore throat that may require alternative treatments . Finally, consider seeking medical advice if a person has been treated for strep throat and has not improved within 4 to 5 days.
If a person has a sore throat or if they have been diagnosed with strep throat, and have any of the following signs or symptoms, they should immediately seek care in a hospitals emergency department:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding in the throat
- Swelling or redness of the neck
Although some of these signs and symptoms may be related to a strep throat infection, they can also be indicators of other emergent conditions such as peritonsillar abscess, epiglottitis, tracheitis, or retropharyngeal abscess.
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Antibiotics Are Used For Treatment
Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics. Benefits of antibiotics include:
- Preventing the bacteria from spreading to others
- Preventing serious complications like rheumatic fever
Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours.
People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they:
- No longer have a fever
- Have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours
What To Eat And Drink:
5. Raw Honey
A daily dose of raw honey raises levels of health-promoting antioxidants in the body. This helps to boost the immune system and is one of several soothing strep throat home remedies. According to research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, honeys healing property is due to its antibacterial activity, ability to maintain a moist wound condition and its thick consistency that helps to create a protective barrier to prevent infection. Studies have found that medical grade honeys have strong bactericidal activity to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause several life-threatening infections in humans.
6. Bone Broth
Bone brothhelps to keep you hydrated and it provides minerals that you need to boost your immune system. Its soothing and easy to eat when you are suffering from a sore throat or swollen tonsils due to strep throat. Bone broth contains minerals in forms that your body can easily absorb, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur. It also contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, the compounds sold as pricey supplements to reduce swelling and joint pain.
Instead of spending hours making bone broth from scratch, use protein powder made from bone broth to help you recover from strep throat quickly. Drink warm bone broth throughout the day.
7. Herbal Tea
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
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What Else Do You Need To Make Your Decision
Check the facts
- You’re right. Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- You’re right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
- You’re right. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
How To Prevent Strep Throat In Kids
As with all contagious illnesses, good hygiene goes a long way to prevent the spread of strep throat. To help prevent strep throat spreading from infected individuals to healthy ones:
- Encourage proper and frequent handwashing
- Teach your child to cover all sneezes or coughs. Ideally, a tissue should be used. If one isnt available, sneezing or coughing into a shirtsleeve will do. Dont sneeze or cough into hands
- Keep an infected childs eating utensils, dishes, and drinking glasses separate from the rest of the familys. Wash them in hot, soapy water after each use.
- Make sure an infected child doesnt share food, drinks, napkins, handkerchiefs, toys, or towels with other family members or anyone else. This is a good habit to get into even when everyone is healthy to help prevent catching illnesses from others.
- Toss your childs toothbrush after the antibiotic treatment starts and the child is no longer contagious. Replace with a new one.
School-age children with strep throat shouldstay home from school. Children are very contagious when they are ill with strep throat, says Dr. Brayer. They canreturn to school when they no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours and feel well. Remember that is a full 24 hours.
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When To Seek Treatment For Strep Throat
As soon as you start to notice symptoms of strep throat, Its important to receive medical attention. At AFC Stoneham, you can see a medical provider to get an accurate diagnosis of your symptoms and determine whether antibiotics are needed. If your strep test comes back negative, your symptoms may be indicative of a different illness. A sore throat is a common symptom in many different infections bacterial and viral. Getting the right medical attention can go a long way in supporting your overall health and wellness.
Suspect Strep Throat Call The Doctor
If your child begins to show the symptoms of strep throat, youll need to call the doctor and make an appointment for a sick visit. Strep throat will not resolve on its own and can cause complications if left untreated. When caught early, strep throat is usually easier to manage, and the infection is short-lived. This means less downtime for your child and less time out of school or daycare.
At Penguin Pediatrics, we see many cases of strep throat every year, especially during cold and flu season. We will perform a strep throat test, or a throat swab, to determine if streptococcal bacteria are the cause of your childs illness. If the test is positive, our physicians will prescribe antibiotics and discuss home care routines to help your child feel better. If your child has any medication allergies or has had reactions to certain antibiotics in the past, be sure to let your doctor know so the correct antibiotic can be given.
Request an appointment online or call us at 253-6421 or 253-6842 . We look forward to helping your children get back on their feet!
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Can Other People Catch My Strep Throat
Yes. You can pass the strep infection to other people until you have been treated appropriately with an antibiotic. Children who have strep throat should not go back to school or day care until their fever has gone away and they have taken an antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
Here are more things you can do to prevent spreading strep throat:
- Frequently wash your hands.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid sharing food utensils while you are sick.
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How Long Is The Incubation Period For Strep
After youve come in contact with group A Streptococcus, the bacteria that cause strep throat, it usually takes two to five days before you feel ill. You may not even know you were exposed to the illness. Thats because people who are infected with group A strep may not have symptoms.You are most contagious when you have a fever over 100.4 but can be contagious to others for 48-hours before the symptoms begin.
If you have strep throat, you can spread it to others until you have been taking antibiotic treatment for one to three days. Children with strep throat shouldnt return to school or day care until they no longer have a fever and have been taking antibiotic treatment for 24 hours.
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Overuse Of Antibiotics Hinder The Bodys Ability To Fight Off Infections
If theyre unnecessary, why doctors prescribe with them for these conditions. To explain this controversy, David H. Newman, MD revealed that not only doctors but also patients are always looking for antibiotics. The reason is that instead of spending ten minutes or thereabouts to talk about how our bodies should fight those bacteria and infection on their own, it is much easier to prescribe with antibiotics.
In the meanwhile, antibiotics are considered to cause some unexpected outcomes. We need to fully understand that treating the infection with too many antibiotics at too many times will lead to the situation of antibiotic resistance.
To be more particular, if you use antibiotics for the very first time, it is helpful for that infection to recover quickly. However, the effectiveness does not work for the fifth or the sixth time, for example.In this case, germs and bacteria have developed their immunity to the increased use of antibiotics. Thats why the overuse of antibiotics will prevent your body from staying healthy.
Recurring Strep Throat: Everything You Need To Know
Strep throat is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. A 2022 study published in The Lancet investigated the worldwide yearly burden of strep throat, estimating 288.6 million episodes in children aged 514.¹
While strep throat primarily affects children, it can also affect adults, which can get in the way of your daily life, impacting your job and other responsibilities. Since strep throat is contagious, you’re also likely to pass it on to people around you.
Recurring strep throat is frustrating, and you probably want to know why it keeps coming back. Lets look at why you keep getting strep throat.
Have you considered clinical trials for Strep throat?
We make it easy for you to participate in a clinical trial for Strep throat, and get access to the latest treatments not yet widely available – and be a part of finding a cure.
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Urgent Advice: Get An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:
- your child is unwell and is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has fewer wet nappies than usual or is peeing less than usual, or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
- your child is very tired or irritable
It’s important to trust your instincts if your child is unwell. Get medical help if you think you need it.
Check symptoms on 111 online or call 111 .
