As the winter season is upon us, the likelihood of encountering one of the most common bacterial infections called strep throat is increased. Strep throat is a sore throat that is caused by infection with a bacteria called streptococcus. It can infect people of all ages but is commonest in children aged five to 15, especially during winter.
If left untreated, strep throat can cause complications such as rheumatic fever that can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a rash and even heart valve damage.
Causes
Strep throat is caused by infection with bacteria named streptococcus pyogenes or Group A streptococcus. The infection is contagious. It spreads by breathing in airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes.
Sharing food or drinks and touching contaminated doorknobs or other surfaces and then touching your nose or mouth can also be a means of infection.
Symptoms
After infection, symptoms may take two to five days to start showing. They include throat pain, swallowing problems, fever, headache, rash, stomach ache and sometimes vomiting. Loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pain and joint stiffness can also occur.
Tonsils may become red and swollen and have white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots can appear on the roof of the mouth. Lymph glands in the neck may be swollen and tender.
However, not everyone has symptoms. Some people are carriers who have the bacteria which they can pass on to others without falling sick themselves.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose strep throat from the symptoms, a physical examination and laboratory tests. What is most important is finding out which bacteria are causing the illness. Throat culture, a rapid antigen test and a rapid DNA test can help with this.
Treatment
Treatment involves antibiotics, which shorten the time you remain contagious. Penicillin V, taken by mouth, is the treatment of choice. Children can take the better-tasting amoxicillin suspension.
People who are allergic to penicillin can take a cephalosporin such as cephalexin or a macrolide such as erythromycin or azithromycin. Anti-inflammatory medicines can help ease throat pain and fever.
Young children and teenagers should not take aspirin because of the risk of developing the dangerous Reye’s syndrome. Having sufficient rest, drinking plenty of water, eating soothing foods, gargling with warm salt water, using a humidifier and avoiding irritants such as cigarette smoke can help you feel better.
Managing strep throat
Wash your hands frequently to limit spreading infections. Finish all your prescribed antibiotics. Do not stop taking them unless your doctor or health care provider tells you to. Avoid contact with someone who has strep throat. Do not share personal items such as drinking glasses and spoons.
Eat soothing foods such as soups, cooked cereal, mashed potatoes and yoghurt. Cold foods such as ice cream or frozen yoghurt may be soothing too. Avoid eating spicy foods or acidic drinks such as orange juice.
Do not sneeze or cough on others if you are sick. Cover your mouth and teach your children to cover their mouths as well when sneezing or coughing.
Strep throat in children
Strep throat manifests differently in children than it does in adults, making it important for parents to be aware of potential warning signs.
In children and toddlers, symptoms of strep throat may include a sudden onset of severe throat pain. A child with strep throat may complain of severe pain in the throat or that it is difficult to swallow.
Toddlers may have difficulty swallowing food and may become upset during feeding time because their throat hurts.
If you suspect that your child has strep throat, check for swollen, tender lymph nodes in their neck. You can check for swollen lymph nodes by gently pressing the area around the side of your child’s neck. If you feel soft, round bumps similar to the size of a pea or a grape, this means your child’s lymph nodes are swollen. This may be due to strep throat.
A common sign of strep throat is red and white patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils. You can ask your child to say “Ahhhh” and look down the throat with a flashlight to check for these patches.
If you decide to look inside your child’s mouth, wear a face mask, since strep throat is contagious and spread by saliva particles.
Most of the time strep throat is accompanied by a high fever. You can check your child’s temperature by using a digital thermometer under the tongue. Wear a face covering if you plan to use a thermometer inside your child’s mouth to guard against the possibility of catching strep throat yourself.
Children with strep throat may experience headaches, abdominal pain or vomiting. These symptoms are common with many illnesses, so you may want to look for accompanying symptoms such as a sore throat to determine whether or not your child may have strep throat.
Prevention
Strep throat is highly contagious, spreading as it does through respiratory droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. To protect yourself from becoming infected with strep throat and, if you become infected, to avoid spreading it to others you should wash your hands frequently, especially before meals and after coughing or sneezing.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Refrain from sharing utensils, cups or food with others. Regularly clean surfaces and toys that may harbour bacteria.
Consider wearing a face mask, especially if you or someone in your home or workplace is showing symptoms of strep throat or other respiratory infections.
A child who has strep throat should be kept home from school until at least 24 hours after antibiotics have been given and any fever has gone.
Being aware of the symptoms, seeking timely medical attention, following prescribed treatment and adopting preventive measures are key to managing strep throat. Proactive care and hygiene practices can help you navigate the strep throat season this winter.
