STREP

What Causes This Disease?

Cause

• Strep throat is caused by a highly contagious bacteria called streptococcal.

• There are many different types of strep bacteria. Some cause more serious illness than others.

• Although some people are quick to think that any painful sore throat is strep, sore throats are usually caused by a viral infection and not strep bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms

• Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
• Painful swallowing
• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
• Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
• Body aches

How is it transmited/spread?

Spread

• Strep can spread through airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks

• The bacteria can also be picked up from a surface and transfered to your nose, mouth or eyes.

Treatment and/or Cure

Treatment

• Doctors most often prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin to treat strep throat.
• They are the top choices because they're safer, inexpensive, and they work well on strep bacteria.
• Relieve a sore throat and other symptoms when they are caused by strep
• Help your child get better faster
• Make it less likely it will be spread to others
• Help prevent complications such as sinus and tonsil infections, and more serious things such as rheumatic fever

Prevention

• To avoid getting strep throat you should avoid contact with anyone who is contagious.
• Strep is higly contagious 1-2 days after begining antibiotics depending on how bad the disease was
• A doctor will tell you how long before you can return to school, work, or being around others without spreading
• Wash your hands often when you are around people with colds, virus, or bacterial illnesses.
• Do not share eating and drinking utensils.

Potential Complications

Complications

Possible complications of untreated or partially treated strep throat infection are:

• Rheumatic fever
• Glomerulonephritis
• Otitis media: spread of infection to the middle ear
• Meningitis: spread of infection to the lining of brain and spinal canal
• Pneumonia: lung infection
• Toxic shock syndrome: a severe complication of strep pharyngitis, causing severe widespread infection and organ failure
• Abscess can form around the tonsils and behind the throat