| Strep throat, also called acute streptococcal | | | | the strep bacteria go into the air. These droplets |
| pharyngitis, is an infection with group A | | | | can be breathed in by other people. If you come |
| streptococcus bacteria that causes a sore throat. | | | | into contact with strep, it will take 2 to 5 days |
| Strep throat is most common in children between | | | | before you start to have symptoms. |
| the ages of 5 and 15, but it affects people of all | | | | Older children generally look and feel awful with |
| ages. In addition to throat soreness, signs and | | | | strep throat! They can have high fevers, very |
| symptoms typically include a fever plus tender | | | | painful throats, often severe difficulty swallowing, |
| and swollen lymph glands (nodes) in the neck. | | | | and pus which can sometimes be seen covering |
| Younger children may also complain of abdominal | | | | the tonsils. These complaints mean that the child |
| pain. | | | | should see the doctor right away, as distinguishing |
| Strep throat is highly contagious: you and your | | | | viral and bacterial causes of tonsil infection is very |
| child may catch it at school, kinder garden, work, | | | | important for correct treatment of the infection. |
| from your family members or any group of | | | | Causes of Throat Infection |
| people. It usually affects people in early spring, | | | | Strep throat is caused by Group A streptococcus |
| winter or the last days of the fall, but it may also | | | | bacteria and represents an infection and |
| occur in other months of the year. You can have | | | | inflammation of the throat. its symptoms which |
| this bacterial infection at any age, but most at risk | | | | may include nausea, fatigue, discomfort in the |
| are teenagers and kids. | | | | abdominal area and high body temperature, may |
| Strep throat usually requires a trip to the doctor | | | | be moderated or severe. |
| and a dose of antibiotics. But with the proper | | | | A strep infection causes the throat (pharynx) and |
| medical care - along with plenty of rest and fluids | | | | the tonsils or adenoids to become irritated, |
| - you should be back on your feet in no time. | | | | inflamed, and painful. |
| If you have strep throat infection, you will have a | | | | Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. They |
| red and painful sore throat and may have white | | | | can spread through airborne droplets when |
| patches on your tonsils. | | | | someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. |
| Infants primarily experience a thick "colorful" | | | | You can also pick up the bacteria from a |
| (yellow or green) drainage from the nose and | | | | doorknob or other surface and transfer them to |
| possibly a low-grade fever, with fussiness, | | | | your nose or mouth. Kitchen utensils and |
| irritability, and a decrease in appetite. | | | | bathroom objects are other common sources of |
| There may also be dark red lines in the folds of | | | | infection transmission. |
| skin. You may get a bright strawberry-red tongue | | | | Smoking and heavy drinking, which can damage |
| and flushed (rosy) face, while the area around | | | | the lining of the throat, increase the risk of |
| your mouth remains pale. The skin on the tips of | | | | bacterial infection. Frequent heartburn can also |
| your fingers and toes often peels after you get | | | | encourage throat irritation if the digestive acids |
| better. If you have a severe case, you may have | | | | rise as high as the throat. People with weak |
| a high fever, nausea, and vomiting. | | | | immune systems from HIV/AIDS, diabetes, |
| Strep throat can be passed from person to | | | | cancer treatment, or corticosteroid drug use are |
| person. When a person who has strep throat | | | | also at higher risk. |
| breathes, coughs, or sneezes, tiny droplets with | | | | |