Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Strep throat is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through small respiratory droplets. It can be passed from one person to the other through coughing or sneezing. Strep throat is characterized by pain and inflammation in the throat and if left untreated, it can cause certain complications such as rheumatic fever and kidney inflammation.

It’s therefore important to seek urgent care services near you if you suspect that you or anyone in your family has such symptoms. Neumed Modern Clinic partners with you on all your health urgent care in Houston.

Causes of Strep throat

Strep throat is caused by Streptococcus pathogens, also known as Group A Streptococcus bacteria or Group A strep (GAS). Just like Coronavirus, you can be infected with strep if you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes after being exposed to the bacteria.

Similarly, strep throat can pass from one person to another through sharing of food and drinks with an infected person. Strep bacteria can also contaminant objects such as doorknobs or glasses- that’s why you should wash your hands regularly.

Strep throat symptoms

Depending on the severity of your condition, you can experience the following mild or/and severe symptoms;

• Sore throat or throat pain
• Fever and chills
• Red and swollen tonsils
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Rash
• Body aches
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes around the neck
• Nausea and vomiting (mostly in young children)

These symptoms can become apparent after 5 days after exposure. It’s also possible to suffer from these symptoms and still not have strep throat. It’s therefore important to seek medical treatment so that the doctor can test you for strep throat.

Neumed Modern is a Houston urgent care clinic that offers urgent care for strep throat. Immediately urgent care near you if you or your family member experience any of the following symptoms;

• Difficult swallowing and breathing
• A sore throat with white patches
• A sore throat accompanied by a pink rash on the skin
• High fever
• Dark, red spots on the top of the mouth or tonsils
• A persistent sore throat that lasts for more than two days.

Strep throat diagnosis

The doctor will check and examine your throat for any signs of strep throat such as inflammation. The doctor may also examine your neck for possible swelling or pain. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may recommend one or more of the following throat tests to test what is causing the infection.

Rapid antigen test – it tests checks for strep bacteria and other similar bacteria or germs that cause sore throat. The doctor uses a long cotton swab to collect a sample from the back of your throat. It’s then sent to a lab for further studies. The test only takes about 5 minutes.

Throat culture – to test for the strep bacteria, the doctor will rub a swab against the back of the throat and tonsils. The sample will be sent to the lab for further analysis.

Rapid DNA test – Uses DNA technology to test for a strep throat infection.

Strep throat treatment

If your doctor confirms you have strep throat, they will prescribe an antibiotic to treat the condition. Antibiotics kill and prevent the spread of infection or bacteria to the other parts of the body. Common strep throat antibiotics include;

• Penicillin
• Azithromycin
• Amoxicillin

Make sure you finish your antibiotic treatment to get rid of the infection completely. Stopping or skipping medication can trigger a relapse after a while. Speak to your doctor if you experience any allergies or side effects of taking the prescribed antibiotics.

Strep throat home remedies

In addition to medication, the following at-home care tips can help to treat or manage a strep throat infection;

• Drink warm liquids such as tea and lemon water
• Take cool drinks and soft food can help relieve the symptoms – sucking ice cubes
• Avoid smoking – it irritates the throat
• Avoid hot food and drinks
• Gargle mouthwash – can help to reduce pain and swelling
• Use a cool-mist humidifier
• Suck throat lozenges
• Honey and apple cider vinegar solution

Conclusion

While a strep throat can clear away without any treatment, it’s always good to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and proper medication. In most cases, symptoms of strep throat will improve or disappear after 48 hours after taking antibiotics.

If you’re worried that you or anyone in your family has contracted a strep infection, you can visit Neumed Modern urgent care center for prompt testing and treatment.