Untreated strep can harm the body. If the body overreacts to the bacteria, it can lead to a disease called rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can cause painful and swollen joints, a specific type of rash, kidney damage, or harm the heart. Start antibiotic medicine as soon as possible to prevent harm to the body.
Caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat is an infection that requires prompt treatment, particularly in children over the age of 3. Left untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause stroke and permanent damage to the heart.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Serious complications are not common
Complications can occur after a strep throat infection. This can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Complications can include: Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils or in the neck.
Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you don't take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Sipping apple cider vinegar is an easy way to treat strep throat naturally. Apple cider vinegar has powerful healing compounds such as acetic acid, which can kill dangerous bacteria while helping the growth of beneficial bacteria.
If you have strep throat, your throat and tonsils may appear red, sore and swollen. You may also have white patches, spots or streaks of pus on your throat and tonsils. In addition, you may develop tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae.
Yes, strep throat is contagious. The illness can spread quickly from person to person in households, classrooms, day care facilities, military training camps and other settings where groups of people are close to one another, particularly where children are present.
Most patients with strep throat feel worse for 2-3 days before they begin to feel better. Strep throat typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Typically, strep throat can last for 7- 10 days. Strep throat symptoms improve between the third and fourth day.
Strep throat is more severe than tonsillitis, and it's caused by a specific strain of bacteria called Streptococcus. If untreated, it can damage the kidneys or turn into rheumatic fever, a disease that damages heart valves. Strep throat symptoms include: A fever greater than 101 degrees.
A sore throat due to strep throat typically causes pain when swallowing. What's more, it may be more painful than a sore throat from a virus. With strep throat, a sore throat may develop quickly.
Because tonsillitis and strep throat are so similar, it can be difficult to tell them apart. One key difference is that tonsillitis involves inflammation of the tonsils, while strep throat involves a specific bacterium infecting the throat. This could also affect the tonsils.
Your health care provider may order a strep A test if you or your child has symptoms of strep throat. These include: A sudden and severe sore throat. Pain or difficulty swallowing.
The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
Swollen, red tonsils (the tonsils may also have white patches) Sore swollen glands (lymph nodes in your neck) Headache. Fatigue (feeling very tired)
Generally speaking, avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods as they can all increase irritation. You should also avoid crunchy or hard textured foods like dry toast or cereals, as they can scratch your already delicate throat.
Antibiotics work best if started within 48 hours, though should never be started before you have a formal diagnosis of strep. Strep does go away on its own within about 7-10 days, and symptoms typically are worse within the first 2-3 days and then begin to improve.
Since bacteria cause strep throat, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and prevent rheumatic fever and other complications. A doctor cannot tell if someone has strep throat just by looking in the throat.
A viral sore throat is typically accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as cough, sneeze, runny nose and a hoarse or raspy voice. “A strep infection can make it feel very painful to swallow, and often comes with fever of 101-degrees or higher,” said Schairer.
Common symptoms of strep throat
In addition to the standard sore throat and painful swallowing, some other signs and symptoms of strep throat may include: Tender, swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the front of the neck. Red spots on the roof of the mouth or palate. Swollen and red tonsils; white patches on occasion.
Your doctor may perform a rapid antigen test on a swab sample from your throat. This test can detect strep bacteria in minutes by looking for substances (antigens) in the throat. If the test is negative but your doctor still suspects strep, he or she might do a throat culture.
Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are not seen with Strep throat. These symptoms point more to a viral cause. Scarlet fever rash (fine, red, sandpaper-like rash) is highly suggestive of Strep throat.
Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.
Strep throat is treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. If you're allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics will treat strep. A course of antibiotics will help decrease your symptoms and the amount of time you're sick.