A Complete Guide To Streptococcal Infections

It seems common but Streptococcal Infections can be very harmful. Like other throat infections, it also makes your throat scratchy and sour but in addition, it can lead to serious diseases like kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. They can further complicate your condition by causing damage to your joints, heart valves, etc. 

Cause - 

A bacterium by the name of Streptococcus pyogenes or A streptococcus causes Streptococcal Infections in an individual. This comes under the category of contagious bacteria which can spread through direct or indirect contact with the infected person. 

Direct contact includes physical contact with the infected person while indirect contact includes getting in contact with the infectious pathogens via air, contaminated food, water or any physical surface. 

Symptoms - 

In order to find out the best treatment for your condition, it is imperative to know its basic symptoms. So here are some common signs that you can look for in order to identify the seriousness of your throat infection- 

• Fast-growing throat pain 

• Pain during swallowing

• Headache

• Fever

• Nausea or vomiting

• Body aches

• Red and swollen tonsils

• Rash

• Tiny red spots on the soft or hard palate

• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck

Since the symptoms can indicate many diseases, it is important to have medical diagnoses and advise of a professional consultation. 

Diagnosis - 

Your diagnosis will include a physical examination followed by a medical examination which includes a Rapid antigen test, PCR, and a Throat culture. The test will give a better understanding of the culture that has been growing in your throat. This is one of the easiest tests that can be done in any laboratory. Your lab technician will use a cotton swab to collect the cultures from the back of your throat and send them to the lab for further testing. 

Treatment - 

The treatment of Streptococcal Infections is available. The medication can take 2-3 days to fully treat the patient. However, each case has its own unique condition which can fluctuate the duration of treatment. 

The treatment may include antibiotics, pain killers, and other medications to reduce inflammation, fever, and other related symptoms. The key function of antibiotics is to reduce or slow down the growth of bacteria while other medications are added to reduce your discomfort. 

Apart from medical treatment here are some home remedies that you can use to speed up the healing process - 

• Get rest 

• Stay hydrated 

• Consume liquid or semi-solid foods

• Use humidifier 

• Add honey to your meals 

• Avoid consuming things that can irritate your throat