I need information on Strep Throat.?

Answer 1

Here you go, everything you need to know is on this link. Strep throat is awful and painful!

http://familydoctor.org/670.xml

Answer 2

Sore throat is usually due to a viral infection. Gargling with warm salty water or mouthwash can reduce the pain and inconvenience. More details and home remedies available at http://ailments.in/sorethroat.html

Answer 3

What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tissues in the back of the throat and the tonsils. The tissues become irritated and inflamed, causing a sudden, severe sore throat.

What causes strep throat?
Strep throat is caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria. There are many different strains of strep bacteria, some of which cause more serious illness than others. The type of strep that most commonly infects the throat is called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABS). Other types that can sometimes infect the throat are groups C and G strep bacteria.
The most common symptoms of strep throat are a sudden, severe sore throat; pain or difficulty swallowing; fever over 101 °F(38.3 °C); swollen tonsils and lymph nodes; and white or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat. Strep infection may also cause a headache and abdominal pain. Less commonly, strep throat can cause a red skin rash, vomiting, loss of appetite, and a general feeling of discomfort or illness.

The incubation period—the period from when you are first exposed to the bacteria until you develop symptoms—is 2 to 5 days.

You are considered contagious (able to spread the infection to others) while you still have symptoms; you are usually no longer contagious within 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics. However, if you do not seek treatment for strep throat, you may continue to be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks even if your symptoms go away.

In general, sore throats are most often caused by a viral infection and not strep bacteria. Strep throat does not occur with coldlike symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or a runny or stuffy nose. The more coldlike symptoms you have, the less likely it is that your sore throat is a strep infection.

How is strep throat diagnosed?
Strep throat is diagnosed with a physical examination, medical history, and a rapid strep test. A throat culture is sometimes done to confirm the results of the rapid strep test.

How is it treated?
Strep throat will go away in 3 to 7 days with or without treatment. However, strep throat is still treated with antibiotics even if they do not speed recovery. Antibiotics kill the strep bacteria, shorten the time you are contagious, and reduce the risk of complications, such as the infection spreading to other parts of your body. Antibiotics are effective in relieving symptoms of strep throat only if they are given within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms begin.

Your health professional also may also recommend nonprescription medications to relieve pain and discomfort and reduce fever caused by strep throat.

Symptoms


Common symptoms of strep throat in children and adults include:

Severe and sudden sore throat without coughing, sneezing, or other coldlike symptoms.
Pain or difficulty with swallowing.
Fever over 101 °F(38.3 °C); lower fevers may indicate a viral infection and not strep.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
White or yellow spots or coating on the throat and tonsils.
Bright red throat or dark red spots on the roof of the mouth at the back near the throat.
Swollen tonsils, although this symptom may also be caused by a viral infection.

Home Treatment


Your health professional may have prescribed an antibiotic for strep throat. Take all of the antibiotic exactly as prescribed. This will help prevent the infection from coming back and will prevent complications of infection that could occur if you do not take the medication as prescribed.

There are many ways that you can make yourself feel better while you are waiting for the strep infection to go away.

Drink plenty of fluids and increase humidity (moisture in the air) in your home to help keep your throat moist. Herbal teas formulated for colds may help relieve symptoms.
Take nonprescription medications to relieve a painful sore throat and reduce fever.
Get plenty of rest. Stay home the first day of antibiotic treatment. You are still contagious and might pass the infection to others. Rest in bed if you feel very sick. Bed rest is not required if you feel fine.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after you start taking an antibiotic, you are still contagious. You can avoid passing the strep throat infection to others and reinfecting yourself by:

Avoiding sneezing or coughing on others.
Washing your hands often.
Using tissues you can throw away, not handkerchiefs.
Throwing out your toothbrush as soon as you feel sick. Replace it again when you are well. You can also clean your toothbrush well before using it again. Bacteria can collect on the bristles and reinfect you.

Answer 4

Gargle with warm salt water. It will hurt, and eventually stop hurting. Hope you feel better soon.