Strep Throat: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Strep throat is also termed as streptococcal pharyngitis.

Strep throat is caused by a bacteria of group A known as Streptococcus bacteria. This bacterial infection in the throat inflames the throat and causes severe pain. The infected throat is likely to feel very scratchy followed by a sore feeling. This infection is most common in children, though it affects adults too. In cases, where symptoms are neglected, the affected person may face severe complication like an ear infection, inflammation of the kidney, scarlet fever, mastoiditis, sinusitis and several another crucial disease. At the same time, the sneezing and coughing of the infected person can spread the infection as it is highly communicable in nature.

Some of the very usual symptoms of strep throat include sudden high fever (101’ or more), sore throat with red and white patches, drastic fall of appetite, headache and body pain, rash, swollen tonsils, tender lymph nodes swollen around the neck and often nauseous and vomiting tendency in children. However, strep throat is often misjudged as the symptoms are slowly similar to viral infection or other illness. In this case, the doctor performs an in-depth study followed by medical tests in order to make sure the presence of infection that causes strep throat.

Thus, if you or your child is suffering from symptoms of common cold, acid reflux, postnasal drip or a sinus infection you should likely consult a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.

If you are between stage I to III or the malignant tumor has not spread to other parts, then a surgery may be advised by your doctor. Surgery is the surgical removal of the tumor. A surgical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in cancer surgery. In a surgery, the tumor may be removed or a part of the esophagus may be removed or removing the esophagus along with the lymph nodes and stomach where the stomach is pulled up and reattached to the esophagus. This type of surgery is termed as esophagactomy. Along with this a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy might be used. In chemotherapy, drugs are used to destroy cancer cells and in radiation therapy, high-energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells. Both of them might be used individually or in combination for patients having a surgery or not having a surgery.

A child or an adult suffering from symptoms like high fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes should likely to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. All sore throat does not turn out to be a strep throat infection.

Nevertheless, If you are diagnosed to have strep throat infection, you should opt for treatment right away.

If you are not suffering from symptoms that indicate the presence of strep throat bacterial infection, you do not need the treatment.

The medicines prescribed for treating strep throat are oral antibiotics. However, these medicines have several side effects like vomiting, nausea, an acute loss of appetite and often diarrhoea too. These side effects are generally mild. On the other hand, if you experience any adverse side effect like breathing trouble, wheezing, dizziness or rashes, stop taking the medicines immediately. Consult the doctor regarding the matter.

The most important requirement for a patient suffering from strep throat is rest. The patient should also adhere to some regulations like drinking warm and cold liquid, gargling from time to time, pain relievers if necessary and also using throat lozenge.

A plenty of water is necessary during this period. Further preference to soothing foods like soups, cooked cereal, and yoghurt would help in recovery.

Immediate diagnosis and treatment within 48 hours of the onset of the symptoms would help in fast recovery. Generally, it takes around 10 -12 days to get back to normal condition.

Treatment cost is entirely subject to the condition of the patient and varies greatly with respect to doctor consultation fees and medical expenses.

Considering the fact that the patient did receive proper treatment and care at the right time, results of treatment do show complete recovery.