Strep Thoat Symptoms

Strep throat symptoms are caused by the streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat is a contagious disease that is easily spread from one person to another, especially children in a classroom situation. Due to the bacteria spreading when a person sneezes,or coughs, the streptococcal bacteria can get on surfaces such as bathroom fixtures, sinks, counter tops and doorknobs, thus infecting anyone who touches those objects. The symptoms of strep throat are similar to tonsillitis but are caused by a different bacteria and, if not taken care of, can lead to other worse diseases.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of strep throat are numerous and can be mild to severe depending on the severity of the bacterial strain. They include the following; a runny nose, coughing, hoarseness, loss of appetite and a red swollen throat. The throat may also have white patches from the pus. The tonsils also may become inflamed. A patient may experience a rash and a fever, have body aches and pains, and have a headache. The strep throat patient may have difficulty sleeping and experience loud snoring due to the tonsils becoming inflamed.

Worse Diseases

• Strep throat can clear up on its own, but it is best to see a health care professional to get a course of antibiotics. When left untreated, strep throat can cause complications that can be worse than the original disease of strep throat. Scarlet fever, also called rheumatic fever, or a kidney inflammation can arise, which can lead to major complications.

Children

• Parents need to watch their younger children when strep throat strikes due to the fact that they can experience nausea and vomiting from the bacteria when the pus that accumulates in their throats can run into their stomachs. Strep throat is very common in children, especially 5 to 15 year olds.

Warnings

• Strep throat patients need to see a doctor when they experience severe throat pain, the lymph glands in the neck area are very swollen, and the sore throat persists for 48 hours or more. Patients also need to see a health care professional when they are making noises while breathing, there is a fever of 101 degrees or higher that lasts longer than two days, and they have a rash. When the patient has a difficult time swallowing due to the swollen throat, especially their own saliva, she should see a doctor also.

What Else to Look for

• Strep throat sufferers can also experience tiny red spots on the soft or hard palates of their mouths as well as having tender lymph glands in the neck. Many children may experience a stomachache and nausea, and may not want to eat due to the pus running down their throats. They may also may have difficulty eating due to the enlargement of the tonsils. They may feel generally lousy with muscle pain.

Prevention/Solution

• While the strep throat symptoms may clear up right away, the patient can still be considered contagious for several weeks. Other people may still be able to get the illness. It is wise for a strep throat patient to not only see a doctor to obtain a course of antibiotics but to cover her mouth and wash her hands frequently to avoid spreading the strep throat bacteria. It is also wise for other people in close contact with the strep throat patient to wash their hands frequently to avoid catching the illness.

Complications

• Strep throat may seem like an illness that is only caught by children such as tonsillitis and really isn't dangerous, but when left untreated, strep throat can cause scarlet fever and kidney problems. Scarlet fever when left untreated may lead to other complications even worse than the original symptoms such as high fever, kidney problems and irreversible heart damage. Thanks to modern medicine though, antibiotics can take care of the original infection, thus clearing up all symptoms.