Strep throat guide: Symptoms, treatment and tips for prevention
If you've ever woken up feeling down in the dumps with a slight tickle in your throat, you know strep throat may come to mind as a culprit.
Although we’ve left winter behind, the public is still susceptible to easily spreadable ailments including colds, flu and strep throat.
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus. Strep threat most frequently occurs among school-age children but can occur at any age, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.
If strep throat is left untreated or is recurring, scarlet fever could occur with it.
How does strep throat spread?
Strep throat spreads from person to person by direct contact with throat and nose secretions from an infected individual.
Items like toys, cups, plates and other household items do not contribute significantly to disease transmission, according to DPH.
Strep throat symptoms
Symptoms of strep throat include headache, muscle aches, fever, sore throat, a rash (with scarlet fever), stomachache, swollen and tender neck glands, and fever (up to 104 degrees).
How to diagnose strep throat
Strep throat is diagnosed by visiting a healthcare provider and getting a test done.
A doctor will swab the back of your throat for a rapid strep test, which detects if there is a presence of the strep bacteria. Results usually are available the same day from the doctor’s office. If the swab is sent to a laboratory, it can take one to two days.
Treatment for strep throat
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a health care provider.
The entire antibiotic prescription must be finished, although most patients feel better before the treatment is completely done. Using the entire prescription prevents complications and recurring infection from arising.
If you have strep throat, stay home from school, work or day care for 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
If strep throat is not treated, kidney problems or rheumatic fever can become an issue.
Strep throat prevention
To prevent yourself from getting strep throat or from giving it to others, the main way to curb transmission is to properly take your antibiotics.
Other ways to prevent strep throat transmission include not sharing food or drinks, washing your hands and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing if you have strep throat.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Strep throat symptoms, treatment and prevention: What to know
