Strep throat usually affects children. However, adults can get the bacteria as well. Like most sore throat types, strep throat is caused by a virus. The bacteria causing the infection is group A Streptococcus.
Strep throat is transmissible
The streptococcal infection is mainly spread through coughing and sneezing. Like any other viral infection, the bacteria living in the nose and throat is expelled in tiny respiratory droplets. If a person inhales those droplets, they can get infected. The virus also transmits through touch and saliva. Skin lesions caused by the streptococcal infection are also a source of contamination.
In rare cases, the bacteria can be transmitted through food. According to researchers, pets and objects don’t spread the bacteria.
Strep throat signs and symptoms
Strep throat usually is not a severe disease. However, in rare cases, patients have severe throat pains. Before moving forward, please keep in mind that you can be infected without showing any of the below symptoms.
The most common symptoms are:
- sudden sore throat,
- throat pain when swallowing
- fever
- small red on the upper surface of the mouth
- red and swollen tonsils
- swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
In some cases, patients had headaches, stomach pains, and felt nauseous and even puked. Others had a skin rash called scarlatina, also known as scarlet fever. As with most infections, there are possible complications such as abscesses around the tonsils, sinus or ear infection, rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Treatment
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. Doctors may prescribe you penicillin or amoxicillin. Some people are allergic to penicillin; therefore, amoxicillin is one of the most used replacements. However, other antibiotics can be used to treat the infection. The infection can be detected via a test. Therefore, if you have the above symptoms, it is worth checking with your doctor.