Strep Throat
Strep Throat
What is strep throat and what are the signs of strep throat?
Strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria. It is called "strep" because the bacteria that causes the infection is called streptococcus.
Adults with strep throat may have a sore throat, a fever and swollen neck glands, stomach pain or nausea, and rash.
Children with strep throat may or may not have a sore throat. Often they may have tummy pain or a red rash with small spots. The rash is worse under the arms and in skin creases.
How is strep treated?
Your health care provider may give youor your child an antibiotic. Antibiotics kill bacteria, which helps strep throat go away a little faster. It can also prevent a few rare but serious conditions that people with strep throat might get. It is important to take all of the medicine your doctor gives you.
What tests can tell I have strep throat?
Your health care provider may use a test called the rapid strep test. For this test, the doctor uses a long cotton swab to swab the back of your throat. The results of this test can be ready in about 5 minutes.
The rapid strep test can tell your health care provider if you have strep throat. If some other microbe is causing your sore throat, these tests do not tell what it is.
Can other people catch my strep throat?
Yes. You can give the infection to other people until you have been treated with an antibiotic for 1 to 3 days. Children with strep throat should not go back to school or day care until their feverhas gone away and they have taken an antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
What can make my sore throat feel better?
Here are some things that might help you feelbetter:
Gargling with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup [8ounces] of warm water). For adults and older children, sucking on throat lozenges, hardcandy or pieces of ice. Eating soft foods, drinking cool drinks or warm liquids or sucking on Popsicles.
If the symptoms persist or worsen please contact you health care provider to come in and be seen for an appointment.
Information Source: FamilyDoctor.org (http://familydoctor.org/)