Strep throat infection is a disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus. It causes swelling and pain in the throat of the infected patient.

This ailment can spread through sneezing and coughing. Everyone is susceptible to the disease, but it is most common in children aged 5 to 15 years.

Signs Which May Indicate Strep Infection

It is advisable to consult a physician if you or your child is experiencing any of the signs, which are generally associated with the onset of strep throat.

If someone you know has been experiencing a sore throat for more than 48 hours, along with swollen and painful glands, it is better to get checked out.

The same goes for high fever which persists for more than 48 hours and is accompanied by bouts of respiratory issues.

Symptoms And Causes Of Strep Throat

The symptoms of this infection differ from patient to patient. Some people may face issues such as a sore throat, whereas others may have difficulty in consuming food or even suffer from fever.

Some other common symptoms of strep throat include an aching red throat, along with white-colored patches, headaches, lack of hunger, difficulty in consuming food, an abrupt fever with high temperatures and inflamed lymph nodes around the neck.

The major cause of this infection is the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which is also known as the group A Streptococcus. The disease spreads when the infected person coughs or sneezes in the presence of a healthy individual.

It may also pass on to others if a person shares food with the patient.

Treatment

Patients who suffer from strep throat infection will be asked to take antibiotics, which will help in restricting the spread of infections and bacteria. There are varied types of medications which the doctor prescribes, including penicillin and amoxicillin.

The most essential part of this treatment is to complete the entire course of antibiotics, which will help in killing the bacteria completely. A relapse will be triggered if the patient stops taking the medicine midway, when one starts feeling better.

Severe Case Of Strep Throat

A case of strep throat infection came into the limelight a few days ago. This particular case was from Grand Rapids, Michigan where, a resident, Kevin Breen's infection led to the amputation of both his hands and feet.

Medical experts at the hospital were not able to understand the cause of his condition until they noticed a rash on his chest, which led to the final diagnosis.

However, this is an extremely rare case of strep infection and most cases do not proceed to such an advanced stage.

Photo: David Leo Veksler | Flickr