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How Do You Know If You Have Strep Throat?
Lots of things can cause a sore throat. One cause, especially in children and teens, is the bacteria that creates strep throat. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is the formal name of the bacterium.
Viruses can cause a sore throat, too. They include:
Other things that might cause your sore throat include:
When you have strep, you'll usually find that your throat is raw and it hurts to swallow. Your sore throat, if it's caused by strep, will come on very fast, not gradually like many other kinds of sore throats. While the infection is more common in kids than adults, adults who spend a lot of time with kids, like parents and teachers, are at risk, too.
Strep throat symptoms in adults
Symptoms that are common in people of any age, including adults, include:
Strep throat symptoms in kids
Strep throat is most common among children between ages 5 and 15. If your child has strep throat, they might have added symptoms, such as:
Strep throat with a rash
You might also see a red, sandpaper-like rash that starts in the face and neck area and then spreads to the rest of the body. This could be a sign of scarlet fever , a reaction to a strep infection that can, in rare cases, lead to serious complications. You should call your doctor if you see this rash.
A sore throat from strep can hurt quite a bit and cause symptoms like headaches and fever.(Photo credit: E+/Getty Images)
What does step throat feel like?
Strep throat can hurt more than other kinds of sore throat. It can especially hurt to swallow. You might notice the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen and tender to the touch. If you have a rash, it might feel like sandpaper.
Some people have mild symptoms, but others feel pretty sick, with fevers, chills, poor appetite, and other signs of infection.
How long does strep throat take to show symptoms?
You are most likely to show symptoms 2 to 5 days after getting infected. You can spread the infection to others during this time, before you show any symptoms.
It's easy to confuse it with other conditions, including viral infections and allergies, so it helps to know that it usually doesn't come with:
If you have any combination of those symptoms, you probably have a virus or allergy. Also, while you might feel a cold coming on for several days, strep symptoms usually start suddenly. If you have allergy symptoms or a mild cold, you probably feel like you can go on with your day. With strep, you often feel too tired, feverish, and sick for your usual activities.
Another clue: If your child is under age 3, their illness is unlikely to be strep.
Most sore throats aren't strep.The cause is something else about 70% of the time in children and 85% to 95% of the time in adults.
If you suspect strep or you're not sure, your doctor can do a simple swab test to see if there are strep bacteria in your throat. It's important to find out, because if you leave it untreated, strep throat can lead to more serious complications in some cases.
The bacteria that cause strep are quite contagious. That means they spread easily from person to person, especially in the same household. The bacteria also can spread in crowded settings, like daycare centers, schools, jails, shelters, and military barracks.
When someone has strep, they have the bacteria in their nose and throat. When they talk, cough, or sneeze, they send droplets containing the bacteria into the air. The droplets can settle on nearby surfaces as well. Other people can get infected when they:
Breathe in the droplets
Touch something the droplets landed on, then touch their noses or eyes
Share personal items, like drinking glasses
Since strep bacteria can also cause skin infections, it's also possible to get strep throat by touching an infected person's skin sores.
You can protect yourself when someone you live with has strep by frequently washing your hands and not sharing unwashed dishes or utensils. Children shouldn't share toys when one of them has strep.
What time of year is strep throat most common?
You can get strep throat at any time of year, but it's most common in the winter and spring. One reason may be that so many children and teens are inside together in big groups during those months.
Why is strep more common in children?
Like other common infections, strep throat is likely more common in children for several reasons. These might include:
Immune systems that aren't as good at fighting off infections
Immature airways that are more susceptible to infection
Spending time in crowded settings like daycares and schools--and having siblings who do, too
Putting their hands in their mouths more often
Why do I keep getting strep throat?
If you or your child get strep repeatedly, you're not alone. Some people are prone to repeat infections. One reason may be that they are frequently around someone who is a strep carrier -- someone who has the bacteria but doesn't necessarily have symptoms. Or they could be a strep carrier themselves, with symptoms from time to time. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the symptoms are really from the bacteria or something else if you are a carrier.
Some strep infections return if you don't finish the antibiotics you get to treat them.
Other possible factors could be genetic and immune system differences that make some people more susceptible to strep infections.
If you think you or your child has strep throat, you should always see a doctor. Unlike colds and flus, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, the bacteria that cause strep throat can spread to other parts of your body, causing complications such as ear and sinus infections and pockets of pus around your tonsils. One of the most serious potential complications is rheumatic fever, an immune system reaction that can damage your heart valves.
Antibiotics can prevent such complications. But you need a test to confirm the diagnosis and get a prescription.
After swabbing your throat, the doctor can do quick test in the office. If the quick test is positive, you have strep. If it's negative, you might or might not have strep. A lab test that comes back in a couple of days can give you a definite answer in that case.
If you have strep, you'll need to take all the antibiotics you are prescribed to clear up the infection and prevent complications. Stay home from work or school until you no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 12-24 hours.
What if I develop a fever after three days of antibiotics?
If you are not getting better or develop a fever or symptoms after a couple of days on antibiotics, call the doctor.
If you or your child have trouble breathing, are extremely weak, or have purple or blood-colored spots with a fever, call 911. You should also seek immediate care if someone has trouble swallowing, has a very high fever, or signs of dehydration, like dark urine and a very dry mouth.
A sudden, painful, sore throat could be strep, especially if you don't have signs of a cold, flu, or allergy, like coughing or a runny nose. Strep is especially common in kids between ages 5 and 15. If you suspect strep, see a doctor. Antibiotic treatment can help you feel better, prevent complications, and get you back to work or school quickly.
Would strep throat go away on its own?
Untreated strep might go away after a week or so. But in some cases it could linger, causing complications and infecting other people.
How can I get rid of strep throat fast?
The fastest way to get rid of strep and feel better is to take antibiotics.
Can I get rid of step throat overnight?
Antibiotics don't work quite that fast. But you should feel better in a day or two.
How long is strep contagious?
People taking antibiotics are less contagious after a day or two. Someone with untreated strep can infect others for 2 or 3 weeks.
Can you prevent strep throat when you feel it coming?
You can't prevent strep once you have symptoms. But you can do things to feel better. That includes gargling with salt water, taking pain relievers, resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating soft foods. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, you should wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, and avoid sharing your personal items.
Is Strep A And Scarlet Fever The Same Thing As UK Cases Rise?
At least 19 children have died from Strep A as the number of Scarlet Fever cases rise to three times more than the usual level but how are they connected?
A senior health official has said that the UK has reported more than 7500 cases of Scarlet Fever.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), added that the majority of affected children have only had a mild illness of Strep A.
The chief medical adviser explained on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that an "open mind" is being kept as to why there is a spike in infections.
Speaking on the BBC radio programme, she said: "The latest with scarlet fever and Strep A infections are that we've seen about just over 7,500 notifications of scarlet fever, and that's probably an underestimate.
"We have a lot of reports coming in in the last few days so we expect it to be even higher.
"That's about three times higher than the same time in a normal season. The last bad season we had in 2017 and 18.
"And in invasive Group A Strep cases, we are more than halfway through what we'd normally see in an average season.
"We've seen 111 cases in children aged one to four and 74 cases in children aged five to nine."
Group A Streptococcus (Group A Strep or Strep A) bacteria can cause many different infections.
The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin, and some people have no symptoms.
Infections caused by Strep A range from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases.
While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause life-threatening illness called invasive Group A Streptococcal disease.
READ MORE: Signs and symptoms of Strep A and Scarlet Fever amid multiple child deaths this week
READ MORE: What to do if you think your child has Strep A infection and when to see a doctor
What is Scarlet Fever?Scarlet Fever is a contagious infection which mostly affects young children.
The bacteria Group A Streptococcus causes Scarlet Fever and can also lead to Strep throat and the skin infection impetigo.
Strep A can make a toxin which can lead to a rash that we recognise as the "scarlet" of Scarlet Fever.
Signs and symptoms of Scarlet Fever in a childSymptoms include a sore throat, headache and fever with a characteristic fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel.
Scarlet fever lasts for around 1 week.
You can spread scarlet fever to other people up to 6 days before you get symptoms until 24 hours after you take your 1st dose of antibiotics.
If you do not take antibiotics, you can spread the infection for 2 to 3 weeks after your symptoms start, according to the NHS.
The symptoms are the same for children and adults, although it less common in adults.
For more information, guidance and support, visit the NHS website.
What's Going Around: Strep Throat, Allergies
WellSpan Pediatric Medicine Physicians across the Midstate are seeing stomach bugs and viral infections.
This week, the providers at UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics in York and Spring Grove are seeing strep throat and viral illness.
This week, Penn State Health Children's Hospital pediatricians are seeing a lot of colds and seasonal allergies. They are also seeing some strep throat, bug bites and upper respiratory infections.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Physicians Roseville Pediatrics reports ongoing moderate cases of strep throat. They also report enterovirus and adenovirus.
They also saw a rise in pink eye, both bacterial and allergic. They also saw some asthma exacerbations and a lot of seasonal allergy symptoms.
Dr. Joan Thode offered the following advice:
"Histamine is a chemical that aids the immune system in its job. In the case of seasonal allergies, a high amount of histamine is released into the bloodstream, which causes the symptoms of runny nose; congestion; itchy, watery eyes; and sneezing. As long as allergens are present, the child will potentially have a runny nose and mucous production. However, since there will be less energy devoted to a large immune system reaction, kids with allergies tend to be a bit less tired and "wiped out" than kids with acute colds.
Antihistamine medications work by preventing histamine from bonding to histamine receptors in the body, which keeps symptoms from occurring. These medications are designed to be taken daily to maintain a constant state of histamine control. There are also antihistamine eye drops for eye symptoms that persist despite the oral antihistamine. Nasal sprays do not affect histamine, but rather calm the immune system reaction in the nose to help decrease congestion related to allergies."
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