Why strep throat is contagious

However, this is typically not mild in nature. Most strep throat pain is severe. The illness is almost always accompanied by a high fever, and it can also result in body aches, headaches, or nausea and vomiting. Nausea is more common in children than adults who contract the illness.

Strep throat is also indicated by swollen lymph nodes in the neck and red or white patches on the back of the throat or tonsils. Strep throat is usually treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, streptococcal bacteria can cause inflammation of the kidneys, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever and a specific type of arthritis. Symptoms can be alleviated some with over-the-counter pain relievers, eating soft foods, gargling with warm, salty water several times a day, and getting lots of rest.

In cases in which very young children have contracted strep throat, or if throat pain is so severe that eating and drinking are not possible, a visit to the hospital may be necessary so fluids can be given intravenously and your child can be monitored.

Recurring strep throat may be treated with a tonsillectomy, which is a simple outpatient procedure to remove the tonsils and adenoids. Skip to Content. Urgent Care. In This Section. Symptoms A child with strep throat, may have some or all of these symptoms: Sore throat , especially when swallowing Bright red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus "Strawberry" look to the tongue or tiny red spots on the back roof of the mouth Fever Swollen, tender glands in the neck Headache , irritability or fussiness Sleeping more than usual Poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children Pain in the abdomen tummy A red rash on the body that "feels like sandpaper.

This is known as scarlet fever or scarlatina. Diagnosis The health provider will examine your child, check for signs and symptoms and do a strep test. Rapid strep test screen rapid antigen test : The test usually takes up to half an hour.

You will be asked to wait until the test results are read. If the rapid strep test screen is negative and the doctor still suspects strep, a follow-up test will be done. Second test to confirm the rapid strep test: Your child will not need another throat swab done for a follow-up test.

The same sample will be tested in a different way to confirm the result of the rapid strep test. If the second test is positive , you will be notified the next day so that your child can be treated with antibiotics. A negative test means the sore throat is likely caused by a virus and does not need antibiotics. Treatment with Antibiotics A positive strep test must be treated with antibiotic medicine within a few days to prevent the germs from causing problems. Read the label to know the right dose for your child.

Do not give aspirin or products that contain aspirin. Complications of strep throat Complications of strep throat are rare but can occur, especially if your throat infection isn't properly treated with antibiotics.

What Increases Your Risk Your risk of getting strep throat increases if you come in close contact with others, especially children, who have a strep infection. When should you call your doctor? Call your doctor today if you have: A red rash that feels like sandpaper. This may indicate scarlet fever. Difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids. Weakness Shortness of breath Joint pain Raised red rash or lumps under the skin Uncontrolled, jerking movements of the arms or legs Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment with an antibiotic.

Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is appropriate if your sore throat occurs with symptoms like those of a cold, such as sneezing, coughing, and a runny or stuffy nose. Examinations and Tests Strep throat is diagnosed from your medical history, a physical examination of your throat, and a lab test, such as a throat culture.

But your doctor may begin treatment for strep throat before the result of your throat culture is back if you have three or four of the following symptoms: A recent fever of Throat culture is a test to find germs such as strep bacteria that can cause an infection.

A sample of cells from the back of your throat is added to a substance that promotes the growth of bacteria. If no bacteria grow, the culture is negative. If strep bacteria grow, the culture is positive. Rapid strep test analyzes the bacteria in your throat to see if strep is the cause of your sore throat. The doctor uses a cotton swab to gather cells from the back of your throat for testing. A negative rapid strep test result can mean there are no strep bacteria present.

But the rapid strep test can give negative results even when strep bacteria are present false-negative test results. If the rapid strep test result is negative but strep throat is still suspected, your doctor may order a throat culture to verify the results.

If the rapid strep test result is positive, a throat culture isn't needed. Antibiotic treatment can be started right away. Antibiotics may not make you well faster. But they shorten the time you are able to spread the disease to others.

Antibiotics also lower the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of your body. Testing is not needed: After antibiotic treatment, unless you still have symptoms. Testing may be done if symptoms return or you have had rheumatic fever and are at risk for it coming back. For a person who was exposed to strep but has no symptoms. For instance, family members of a person who has strep throat do not need to be tested unless they start to have symptoms.

Treatment Overview Antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cephalexin, or penicillin are used to treat strep throat. Antibiotics are commonly used to: Kill the bacteria and shorten the time you are contagious. You are typically no longer contagious 24 hours after you start antibiotics. Prevent rare complications. Although uncommon, strep bacteria can spread to other parts of your body, causing ear or sinus infections or an abscess behind or around the tonsils peritonsillar abscess.

Antibiotics may also prevent the infection from triggering your immune system to attack itself and cause serious conditions such as rheumatic fever. Relieve discomfort and speed healing to some degree.

Prevention To avoid getting strep throat, it is a good idea to avoid contact with anyone who has a strep infection. Bacteria are almost always transmitted by contact with tiny droplets from an infected person. Strep throat is passed from one person to another by contact with the tiny droplets of an infected person's cough, sneeze, or breath.

Bacteria can also live for a short time on doorknobs, water faucets, and other objects. If you touch an infected object and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you can become infected with the bacteria or virus.

Bacteria can also be carried on food. Home Treatment Your doctor may have prescribed an antibiotic for strep throat. Drink plenty of fluids and increase humidity moisture in the air in your home to help keep your throat moist.

Herbal teas formulated for colds may help relieve symptoms. Get plenty of rest. Stay home the first day of antibiotic treatment. You are still contagious and might pass the infection to others. Rest in bed if you feel very sick. Bedrest is not required if you feel fine. Take non-prescription medicines to relieve a painful sore throat and reduce fever. Try an over-the-counter anesthetic throat spray or throat lozenges, which may help relieve throat pain.

Do not offer throat lozenges to young children as they are a choking hazard. If your child is younger than age 2, ask your doctor if you can give your child numbing medicines. Medications Antibiotics are the treatment of choice for a confirmed strep throat infection.

Antibiotics will reduce the time you are contagious. You are usually not contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment for strep throat can also help prevent some of the rare complications related either to the strep infection itself or to the body's immune response to the infection. Complications of strep throat are rare but can occur, especially if strep throat is not properly treated. Antibiotics may shorten the time you are sick by about one day. When antibiotics may be used Antibiotics may be used in the following situations: You have had a positive rapid strep test or positive throat culture.

You have three or more of the following signs or symptoms: A recent fever White or yellow spots or coating on the throat or tonsils Swollen or tender lymph nodes on the neck Absence of signs of a cold or other upper respiratory illness, such as coughing or sneezing You have recently had rheumatic fever and have been exposed to strep.

Preventive antibiotics may be given in some cases. Several family members are having repeated strep infections as confirmed by positive throat cultures. Medicine choices Antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cephalexin, or penicillin are used to treat strep throat infection. What to think about Immediate treatment with an antibiotic after a positive rapid strep test may not make you well faster. Surgery If strep throat continues to recur, you and your doctor may decide that you need surgery to remove the tonsils tonsillectomy.

Surgery is considered when you: Have recurring episodes of strep throat or tonsillitis in a single year despite antibiotic treatment. Have abscesses around the tonsils that do not respond to drainage, or if an abscess is present in addition to other signs that you may need tonsillectomy.

View Larger Image. What is Strep Throat? What can be done to relieve the pain of strep throat? Your child should: Drink soothing liquids, such as warm tea. Take a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen Tylenol. Symptoms of strep throat include: sore throat fever red and swollen tonsils painful or swollen neck glands Not all sore throats are strep-infected throats.

Kids who do have strep throat might get other symptoms within about 3 days, such as: red and white patches in the throat trouble swallowing a headache lower stomach pain general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling loss of appetite nausea rash Strep Throat Treatment If you suspect that you have strep throat, you should see your doctor in order to get tested and begin treatment.

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