Did you know that strep throat is very common in children between the ages of 5 to 15 years? It is a bacterial infection that spreads with close contact when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. While it is a treatable disease, not noticing its symptoms and getting timely treatment can lead to severe complications. Learn what are the signs of strep throat you should look out for in this article. Talk to our specialist for infectious diseases if you have any concerns.

Causes and transmission

Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus (group A strep). This bacterium is contagious and different from most other cases of sore throat (which occur due to viruses). It can easily spread by oral and nasal secretions and droplets of an infected person. These droplets can be released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, laughs, or sings.

You can get strep throat if you:

• Breathe in the air where bacteria droplets are present.
• Touch something that contains bacteria germs like a doorknob or table, then rub your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Share personal things or items like a fork, spoon, glass, toothbrush, or nail cutter with someone who is sick.
• Kiss a person who is infected.

When you get infected with the infection, symptoms may appear within 2 to 5 days after your exposure. You can stay contagious for a month if you leave it untreated. You can stop the transmission by getting proper medical treatment, however, it takes 24 hours after medications. In case your symptoms are mild, you are less likely to transmit the infection to others.

Risk factors

Anyone can get infected with strep throat, but some factors increase your risk of getting strep throat, including:

• Age: Children are more easily infected with strep throat than adults. Mostly children between 5 to 15 years old get more infected than children younger than 3 years old.

• Close contact: If you are in close proximity with a person who has strep throat then your risk of getting the infection is higher. For example, if someone in your house or workplace has strep throat, then there’s a good chance you’ll catch the infection.

Teachers, doctors, children, nurses, officers in the armed forces, etc. who work in settings/facilities where many people are together in confined spaces, are at higher risk of this infection.

Signs to look out for

Strep throat symptoms show up after 2 to 5 days after getting exposed to bacteria. Common symptoms of strep throat may include:

• Fever (101 F or higher).
• Red and swollen tonsils.
• Pain when swallowing.
• Sore throat that quickly becomes red.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck (front).
• White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils.
• Tiny, red spots inside the back of the roof area of the mouth, are called petechiae.
• Appetite loss.
• Body aches.

Other less common symptoms, especially for children, may include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Rash (scarlet fever).
• Stomach pain.

When to see a doctor?

You should see your doctor if you’re not getting better. However, don’t stop taking your antibiotics unless your doctor says so. You should call your doctor if you’re not getting better in 1 or 2 days after taking the antibiotics. You should also call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever after feeling better.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Skin rash.
• Swollen glands.
• Muscle pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Painful joints.
• Dark urine, rash, or chest pain (may happen 3 to 4 weeks later.

For your children, you need to see a doctor, if they show any of these symptoms:

• A sore throat along with tender, swollen lymph glands.
• A sore throat that lasts longer than 2 days.
• A sore throat along with a rash.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• If strep is diagnosed, and there’s no improvement in symptoms after taking antibiotics for 2 days.

Complications

Strep throat complications are rare because most people recover with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious diseases:

• The bacteria infection can spread to the tonsils, sinuses, middle ear, blood, skin, or the mastoid bone behind the ear.
• A peritonsillar abscess is a buildup of pus around the tonsils or behind the throat that causes extreme pain.

Other strep complications cause an inflammatory response in different parts of your body, including:

• Scarlet fever, a type of red rash, happens on the body. They are tiny, hard-to-see pinpricks and intensely red.
• Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can permanently damage the heart valves, affecting joints and the brain as well.
• Glomerulonephritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the kidney.
• Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints.

Another rare complication, called PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder) is linked with strep infection. While it’s not well understood, it causes worsened symptoms of neuropsychiatric conditions in children like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after strep infection. This condition linked with strep is not yet well understood.

Another rare condition is called guttate psoriasis, a skin condition caused by teardrop scales on the skin’s surface. It can be red or silver and cause itchiness.

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that causes sore throat, inflammation, and fever. It is caused by the bacteria (group A) Streptococcus, which causes symptoms several days after exposure. Its symptoms are easily treatable with antibiotics. However, if you ignore the symptoms and don’t have timely treatment, it may lead to severe complications that can be life-threatening. So, always watch out for the signs of strep throat and seek medical attention timely to get cured and prevent it from spreading to others.

Need help with strep throat, visit our infectious disease specialist in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now for faster diagnosis and treatment!!!!!

Visit our team of Specialists for infectious diseases at Doral Health & Wellness on 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. We also offer other services, such as vaccinations, immunizations, and blood testing. Call us on 13473845690 to get a consultation from our clinic or log on to https://doralhw.org/.