Strep throat is named for the streptococcal bacteria that cause it. The infection occurs in the throat and on the tonsils, resulting in irritation, inflammation, and the sudden onset of a severe sore throat. Unlike the flu and the common cold, which are viral infections, strep throat is bacterial. It can strike any time of the year, but the peak seasons for strep throat are late fall and early spring.
Strep Throat Symptoms
Are you worried your sore throat might be strep? Be aware that this illness usually affects children and adults who spend a lot of time with kids. Some of the most common symptoms of strep throat include:
- Sudden, severe sore throat
- Painful swallowing
- High fever
- Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes
- Bright red throat with white or yellow spots
You may also experience:
- Achiness
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
Strep throat symptoms are often mistaken for the common cold. The above symptoms signify strep. However, if you have a cough, runny nose, or hoarse voice, your illness is most likely caused by a virus, which won’t respond to antibiotics.
How to Avoid Strep Throat
Strep throat is quite contagious. The illness spreads easily between people in close contact, such as classmates, coworkers, and family members. Inhaling respiratory droplets that contain streptococcal bacteria or touching contaminated surfaces might make you sick.
To help avoid contracting strep throat, follow these tips:
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Don’t share cups, straws, plates, or utensils with a sick person.
If you are infected with strep throat, avoid spreading it to others with these tips:
- Wash your hands often.
- Don’t prepare food for others or ask to share cutlery.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away.
- Stay home from work or school until you have been taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
- Keep away from others in your household.
Strep Throat Treatment
Rapid testing can determine if you have strep throat. If you test positive, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics, which should start making you feel better within a day or two. Just be sure to finish your antibiotics to wipe out the bacteria completely.
Strep throat treatment is important because it can:
- Shorten your illness
- Lessen the severity of your symptoms
- Prevent the streptococcal bacteria from spreading to others
- Prevent serious complications like rheumatic fever
Strep Throat Care in Texas
Exceptional Emergency Center is a freestanding emergency room offering strep throat treatment in Amarillo, Beaumont, Brownsville, Ft. Worth, Harlingen, Livingston, Lubbock, Port Arthur, Saches/Garland, Orange, and Tyler, TX. Rest assured that we are taking every precaution to slow the spread of COVID-19, so you can confidently seek treatment at our emergency hospital. Feel free to check in online for a shorter wait time upon arrival.
Schedule an appointment today to enjoy the best ER care in Texas.