A bacterial infection causing inflammation and pain in the throat is identified as strep throat. Strep throat is a common infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and can affect children and adults of all ages. However, children between five and 15 are particularly susceptible to this infection which spreads when children sneeze and cough. Therefore strep throat is contagious.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

The severity of the infection of strep throat can vary between people. While some people may experience mild symptoms like a sore throat, others may have more severe symptoms, including fever and challenges swallowing. Common strep symptoms in adults include:

• Throat pain is coming on quickly.
• Painful swallowing.
• White patches and streaks of pus sometimes accompany red and swollen tonsils.
• Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck.
• Fever.

The symptoms of strep throat develop within five days of exposure to the Streptococcus bacteria.

Is Strep Throat Contagious?

Strep throat is contagious as it is a bacterial infection. Strep throat spreads through tiny respiratory droplets when people affected by this infection sneeze or cough.

Causes of Strep Throat

The primary cause of strep throat is by the bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes or group A Streptococcus. You can become infected by strep throat if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after exposure to these bacteria. Besides coughing and sneezing, strep throat can spread when sharing foods or drinks with an infected person. In addition, strep throat can infect you if you come into contact with any objects contaminated by the strep bacteria, including doorknobs, faucets, and touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Diagnosing Strep Throat

Suppose you have symptoms like sore throat lasting longer than 48 hours with white patches besides difficulty swallowing and breathing. In that case, you must seek strep throat treatment in Waco, TX, because it indicates you need help from a medical professional.

Doctors will examine your throat, checking for signs of inflammation. They also check your neck for swollen lymph nodes and inquire about other symptoms. If the doctor suspects you have strep throat, they perform a rapid strep test in the office. The quick test helps determine whether your sore throat is affected by the group A Streptococcus bacteria or another variety. The doctor also swabs the back of your throat to collect a sample. The sample is for testing in a laboratory looking for signs of bacteria.

The results of the test are available in five minutes. However, if the results returned negative, your doctor thinks you have strep throat, your sample may undergo further testing requiring you to wait for a few days for the results. Strep throat is a highly contagious infection causing swelling in the tonsils and the throat. You can get strep throat without tonsils, but the illness may not be severe. In addition, the lack of tonsils may reduce how many times the infection affects you.

Treatment for Strep Throat

If you visit the ER for strep throat, the doctors realize it is a bacterial invasion and will prescribe antibiotics to treat it. The antibiotics inhibit the spread of bacteria and infections. There are several types of bacteria available to treat strep throat.

After receiving the antibiotics from the ER near me, you must remain determined to complete the treatment course to eradicate the infection. It would help if you did not behave like many people who stop taking their medications because they notice some improvement in the symptoms. Cutting down your course can trigger a relapse to make the symptoms return.

Doctors prescribe penicillin as a common medication for strep throat. However, if you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor may prescribe alternatives to deal with the condition.

Strep throat is a common infection in children than adults. Parents of school-age children often find themselves susceptible to strep throat infections. Adults who are frequently around children are also vulnerable to this infection. Adults suspecting they may have strep throat infection must visit the ER near them immediately to take a step test near me and receive the medications necessary if they are infected. Adults must also ensure they take all the precautions required to avoid spreading the infection because of its contagious nature. Strep throat can also affect pregnant women who are advised to discuss treatment options with their doctor.

If you or a family thinks you are affected by strep throat infection Express Emergency Room Waco provides a rapid strep test to help you evaluate your condition. Visit the facility today if you suspect you are infected.