Is Strep Throat Contagious? Symptoms

Strep throat is a painful condition that often affects children and adults in the winter and spring months. The condition is only one of many that can affect the throat.

According to a study by American family physician, Viruses are the most common cause of a sore throat. Bacteria cause strep throat.

A method that doctors use to diagnose strep throat is a visual examination. Strep bacteria cause irritation, redness, and sometimes the build-up of pus in the back of the throat.

Symptoms of strep throat
Strep throat can cause many uncomfortable symptoms. Examples include:

• A sore throat, often so painful that it makes it difficult to swallow
• Pain in the body
• Choirs, usually higher than 101 ° F
• A headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• A rash that feels like sandpaper on the body
• Small, red spots on the roof of the mouth
• Swollen neck glands that feel like small, round punches
• Tonsils that are swollen
• Tonsils that have white spots or stripes nowadays

In very young children, the strep throat can also lead to increased drooling.

Important visual indications for strep throat
When a person opens their mouths and looks at the back of their throat, there are a few "normal" things that most people will see:

• Skin that is pink in color and is smooth and consistent in texture
• The uvula, a hanging piece of skin in the back of the throat, which is pink and rounded
• Tonsils that are small flesh-colored bags of the skin (unless they have been removed)

This appearance can change a lot if someone has strep throat. When a person with strep throat opens their mouth and vision, they will probably see:

• The back of the throat is inflamed and red. This area is called the soft taste. Some doctors can describe it as "beefy".
• Tonsils that are enlarged and extend the soft taste. They can have white or yellow patches or stripes that cover them.
• A uvula that appears to be swollen and red. It can be covered with white or yellow patches.
• The back of the throat may have small red bumps or stripes.
• It is possible that a person may have almost the same symptoms with a virus or other infection type. Therefore, a physician must perform a "fast stripe" test of the back of the mouth. This test can determine whether strep bacteria are present in the back of the throat.

In addition to a visual exam and a quick stripe test, there are a few symptoms that indicate that it is more likely that someone experiences strep throat instead of another illness. For example, a strep infection is more associated with fewer than a viral infection.

Another difference is that strep throat usually causes no cough, runny nose or watery eyes. Viral infections and mucus in the throat of allergies or other conditions probably cause a cough.

When do you see a doctor for strep throat
Anyone with a fever greater than 101 ° F and further strep throat symptoms should see their doctor. The presence of fever can signal a bacterial infection that can treat antibiotics.

In severe cases, strep throat can cause infections in areas other than the throat. Examples are the ear and, more seriously, the blood.

Having strep throat can also cause inflammation in the body that leads to other, more serious diseases. These include:

• Kidney inflammation
• Rheumatic fever, an inflammatory condition that can affect a person's heart and health
• Scarlet fever

Because strep throat can lead to more serious symptoms and medical conditions, the search for treatment is important. People need to get a definitive diagnosis of strep throat, and it is not enough just to see a doctor at the tonsils.

Antibiotics do not treat other causes of an irritated throat and taking medicines that are not needed can affect their ability to work when someone really has a bacterial infection.

If someone uses antibiotics for a strep throat and does not feel better after about 2 days, they should call their doctor.

General disorders that affect the throat
Several medical conditions can cause an itchy, red and another irritated throat, but are not caused by strep throat. Viruses, bacteria, allergies, exposure to irritating chemicals or smoke, and phlegm in the throat can all lead to symptoms such as strep throat.

Some examples of other conditions that can affect the throat and can simulate symptoms of strep throat include:

Candida
The fungus Candida May cause irritation and redness in the throat that mimics strep throat. Candida Causes lesions that are white and light in the color of the throat are lifted. Irritation and redness can follow. However, infections related to Candida tend to appear over the mouth, including the gums and the roof of the mouth, as well as the back of the throat and the tonsils, where the throat is more likely to have symptoms.

Herpes
Also known as cold sores or cold sores, herpes is a condition caused by a virus. This condition causes blisters or painful injuries. While they often appear on the lips, they can occur in the back of the throat or mouth. Herpes infections can also cause swollen neck glands.

Mono
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a virus that causes mono. This condition can start with strep throat symptoms that persist for long-term symptoms such as swollen liver or spleen, extreme fatigue, fever and sore throat. Mono takes much longer than a typical strep throat infection, sometimes as long as 6 months. This type of infection will also not respond to antibiotics, and strep throat usually does.

Peritonsillar abscess
A peritonsillar abscess is a pain that begins to fill with pus in the vicinity of your tonsils. This can cause inflammation leading to strep throat. Symptoms are fever, swollen neck glands and difficulty swallowing. However, a peritonsillar abscess usually has a side of the throat, while the strep throat touches on both sides.

Causes of strep throat
The bacteria belonging to the group a Streptococcus strain cause strep throat. These bacteria are usually transmitted through contact with an infected person or breathe in the drops of an infected person.

Sneezing, sharing tools or touching an object after an infected person has touched it can all spread strep throat. This is because the strep throat bacteria usually live in the nose and throat of a person.

Strep throat is very contagious. If a person is diagnosed with strep throat, they should leave others until they are unanswered for at least 24 hours and the symptoms begin to improve.

Children are more likely to strep throat than adults. They often stand together in day camps and schools. Some children have no symptoms, but can carry the strep bacteria and expose others to it.

Conclusions
A number of causes can lead to a sore throat, and strep throat is one of them. While a visual examination can help to reduce a possible cause, they do not correspond to a definitive diagnosis. That is why it is important that someone sees a doctor when they think they can have strep throat.

If strep throat is the cause, antibiotics can often help to alleviate the symptoms.

*Image source : Healthline

References :

1. National Cancer Institute
2. Medical-diag.com
3. American Cancer Society