What causes strep throat? Can it go away without medecine?
2007-03-01 11:04:07 · 9 answers · asked by I love screwdrivers! 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Short answer: Strep throat is caused by an infection in your throat with the bacteria Streptococcus Pyogenes (also known as Group A Streptococcus). Yes, it will go away without medicine, but not taking antibiotics increases your risk of developing rheumatic fever several days after getting infected. Rheumatic fever can damage your heart valves, leading to heart failure and death early in life.
More details: Strep is not caused by a virus. Strep is a bacteria. Most sore throats, however, are caused by viruses, not strep. Only a physician can tell you for sure if you have strep or not.
Antibiotics may help you feel better faster, but the main reason for taking them is the prevention of rheumatic fever, as above.
Before the days of antibiotics, many people died early deaths of rheumatic heart disease. Because most strep throat now gets treated with antibiotics, rheumatic heart disease is something that now many young to middle-aged physicians have either never seen, or barely ever seen.
2007-03-01 11:23:52 · answer #1 · answered by The Cheat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, if you positively have Strep, you need antibiotics. Strep throat is caused by a bacteria. If not treated, strep throat infections can sometimes cause complications such as rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can cause painful and inflamed joints and a rash, and can even result in damage to heart valves. Another potential complication of strep throat infections is kidney inflammation.
2007-03-01 11:14:03 · answer #2 · answered by flower 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strep throat is a throat infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. It is characterized by sore throat, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck – Gargling with warm salty water or mouthwash can reduce the pain and inconvenience. You can find some good home remedies at http://ailments.in/sorethroat.html
You may choose to take in antibiotics as an extreme measure.
2007-03-01 22:08:44 · answer #3 · answered by Daphne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a virus. No, it's not going to just go away without medicine. If you have strep throat, you're going to need to see a doctor.
The sooner you get the meds, the sooner you'll be feeling better.
2007-03-01 11:09:39 · answer #4 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a bacteria causes it and you need antibiotics or it will just get worse and can lead to more complicated illness or worse...my mother lost her hearing in high school as a resuolt of a really bad case of strep and scarlet fever together...get to a dr the medicine wont be much antibiotics usually have generics
2007-03-01 11:09:05 · answer #5 · answered by bnd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You dont need to go to the doctors, but you should.
These people act like your leg has been ripped off.
You can tough it out, you do not NEED antibiotics.
I get strep more often than any illness and I never go to the doctors.
Then again you may not want to tough it out.
Its easy if you have DayQuil and Nyquil. Salt walter gargle might feel nice.
These people aren't doctors, and Im sure they have never tried to tough it out so take it from someone who has.
2007-03-01 11:15:44 · answer #6 · answered by BumbleBee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strep is contagious and will not go away without antibiotics!
2007-03-01 11:09:05 · answer #7 · answered by peach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got over it w/o medicine, but at first signs, I drank super cold cokes, and it left. Maybe there's an ingredient in coke or something.
Hope I could help. Bye.
2007-03-01 11:14:57 · answer #8 · answered by King John dragon-slayer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
strepticocci. you gotta have meds. any sore throat that does not improve after three days or is accompanied by a fever needs medical attention.
2007-03-01 11:09:52 · answer #9 · answered by 1REWD1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋