Two different types of germs can cause sore throats –bacteria and viruses. When sore throat comes fast, it is generally caused by bacteria streptococci, or strep. The strep throat is quite common among school-going kids, but anyone may get it. So, it is important to check the symptoms of strep throat and visit your doctor.
How To Prevent Strep Throat?
If you have a high fever, intense sore throat, headache and earache, or swollen tonsils that are bright red with white patches in them then you should see your doctor.
If you don’t have any of these symptoms but still want to be sure that you don’t have strep throat then go ahead and make an appointment with your doctor as well. They can run a blood test or take a culture from the back of your throat to determine if there is an infection present.
Strep Throat is caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria which causes swelling and redness in the throat area. The bacteria reside in the nose and throat area so it can cause strep throat when it enters through the mouth.
Causes of Strep Throat
Strep throat is common among kids between 5 to 15, though anyone will get it. Strep can easily be spread by one person to another contact with the fluids from nose and saliva. This commonly spreads among the family and household members.
Know the Symptoms
Symptoms come around two to five days after getting in contact with strep germ and they might be severe or mild. Though you or your kid might recover from the sore throat completely without any kind of treatment, it is very important you get tested for the strep in case you suspect it may be causing the symptoms.
Common symptoms:
- Chills
- Fever that might start suddenly and go highest on second day
- Swollen and tender neck glands
- Pain while swallowing
- Red and sore throat that have white patches
Various other symptoms will include:
- Loss of appetite & abnormal taste
- Ill feeling
- Nausea
- Headache
Some strains of strep throat may lead to the scarlet type rash and this rash generally appears on the neck and chest of your child. After that it may spread all over the body and rash may feel rough like sandpaper. This same germ cause’s strep throat might cause various other symptoms of sinus infection and ear infection.
