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Strep throat is the infection and inflammation of the pharynx by Group A streptococcal bacteria. It is transmitted through fluid droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person. Strep throat is contagious and individuals usually experience symptoms within two to seven days of exposure. The ailment is usually cured, with antibiotic treatment, by the twelfth day of infection. The fever stops within three to five days with the throat soreness passing soon after. There are cases in which a small percentage of children have become carriers of the infection without experiencing the symptoms themselves. The active bacteria is present in these asymptomatic carriers and can be repeatedly passed to others.
Group A bacteria can affect all ages but is especially prevalent among children. A child with strep throat may experience chills, throat pain, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, swollen neck glands and a general ill feeling. There is usually some difficulty with swallowing food. Very young children, however, may feel discomfort more in the stomach area than the throat. Often, the tonsils may be covered with pus. In these cases a physician should be consulted to perform a throat culture test.
A throat culture is a painless procedure in which a physician uses a swab to obtain a sample of throat secretions and examines the secretions for strep A bacteria. If the strep infection is confirmed, the doctor will write an order for a course of antibiotic treatment, which usually lasts for ten days. It is always important that this course is followed to completion even though recovery may seem complete after three to four days. All bacteria cannot be destroyed if the course of treatment is not followed correctly. Aftercare should include observation for signs of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis, especially among children two to twelve years of age. Children are usually free to return to normal activity and school when the course of antibiotic treatment has reached the fifth day and when appetite and general physical well-being reappear.
In rare cases, strep infection may cause a bright red skin rash, lasting from the second to the sixth day of the infection. This is a scarlet fever rash and is no more dangerous than strep throat without the rash.
If untreated, strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever, an illness which can result in heart disease and arthritis. Untreated strep throat may also result in acute glomerulonephritis, a kidney ailment. In the case of either, a medical specialist should be sought to administer treatment.
If any of the following occur during treatment, call a physician immediately.
---normal temperature suddenly rises to 101 degrees Fahrenheit
---new symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, earache, swollen glands, skin rash, severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath or nasal drainage
---convulsions
---red and/or painful joints
---coughing that produces green, yellow-brown or bloody sputum
---extreme fatigue
Treatment at home can include:
---bed rest until fever lowers to under 100 degrees Fahrenheit
---soft foods or a liquid diet to reduce irritation of the throat (soup, ice cream, warm tea, etc.)
---gargling, if child is old enough, with warm salt water or strong tea
---use of a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air to soothe the sore throat
---warm towel soaks to relieve the pain of swollen neck glands
---resume feeding solid foods when swallowing does not cause intense pain
Since strep throat is very contagious, an effort should be made to avoid contact with infected people, since there is no single way to avoid the infection otherwise. A good precaution is to keep all drinking glasses and eating utensils clean by washing with very hot soapy water. If caring for an infected person, the caregiver should wash hands often after contact.
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