Strep Throat
Strep Throat Treatment in Delray Beach, FL
Kids and adults alike are all susceptible to strep throat. This highly contagious disease comes from a bacteria called group A Streptococcus. Group A strep can actually live within the nose or throat without causing any sort of harm to its host. These bacteria only become a problem when they come into contact with an infected person. This transfer can happen any time, and is quite easily spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing dishes or utensils, etc.
What are the Symptoms of Strep?
Since strep throat is a very common disease it is important to know its symptoms, which consist of:
A sore throat
Pain upon swallowing
Fever
Very swollen tonsils that may also have white or yellow spots
Small red spots, known as petechiae, located on the roof of the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck
Headache
Stomach pain
Nausea and vomiting
Although many patients report them as symptoms of strep, a cough, runny nose, and hoarseness all have nothing to do with strep throat. These are signs of another possible illness, which could be occurring along with a case of strep, but is not connected to strep in any way.
It is wise to go see a pediatrician at Pediatrics By The Sea in Delray Beach, FL if you believe yourself to be sick with strep throat. Untreated cases of strep can develop to cause several serious health problems such as:
Infection of the tonsils, sinuses, skin, blood, or middle ear
Scarlet fever
Inflammation of the kidneys
Rheumatic fever
Diagnosing Strep
Most doctors follow the same basic process when a patient comes in with a possible case of strep throat. First, they will conduct a rapid strep test.
A rapid strep test involves taking a swab from the back of the patient’s throat and then testing this sample for particular substances that are associated with strep throat. Within minutes, the rapid strep test will show whether or not the patient has strep.
Some people can experience a false negative from their rapid strep test. If the results of the rapid strep test are inconclusive, then the physician will do a throat culture. A throat culture requires the same kind of swab from the back of the patient’s throat, which is then placed in a petri dish for a couple of days. Over time, the sample may begin to grow inside the petri dish, which concludes that the individual who provided the sample does indeed have strep throat.
Treatment for Strep Throat in Delray Beach FL
Thankfully, strep throat is quite easy to treat using antibiotics. After 24 hours of taking these antibiotics, you will no longer be contagious. This does not mean that you can stop taking the prescribed antibiotics.
In order to be fully effective and prevent the person’s strep throat from immediately returning, they must finish the entire supply of antibiotics prescribed to them. This period usually lasts for about 10 days.
It is also possible to relieve common symptoms of strep throat, particularly a sore throat, by taking over-the-counter medications such as anti-inflammatories. This will help to reduce the swelling of the tonsils, which can making speaking and eating much more manageable.
How to Prevent Strep Throat
The best way to avoid catching strep throat from another person is to practice daily healthy habits, such as:
Frequently washing your hands
Staying hydrated
Get plenty of sleep
Utilizing a humidifier
Gargle with salt water if you begin to notice any throat pain
Consume foods that are easy to swallow
Avoid potentially irritating substances like cigarette smoke or fumes from cleaning products
If you believe your child has Strep Throat call Pediatrics By The Sea in Delray Beach, FL at (561) 272-8991 for the Downtown Delray Office or (561) 303-3707 for the Jog Road Office in Delray Beach, FL to schedule an appointment today.