Symptoms Of Strep Throat

Strep throat is the infection caused in the throat due to presence of the strep/streptococci bacteria in the throat. This can affect infants as well as an adult. There are many types of strep bacteria that can cause more severe ailments. This bacterium thrives in the throat and tonsils causing sore throat.

If you suspect a strep throat then it is advisable to check for the following symptoms and seek immediate medical attention requesting an immediate strep test.

1. Strep throat starts with out of the blue swelling of the throat, without an overnight warning.
2. The early indicator is an inflamed tonsil, which is bloodshot with white spots on it.
3. You find it difficult to swallow your own spit or water apart from food.
4. It is very painful to talk too.
5. When this is teamed with rise in body temperature, which goes beyond 101 Fahrenheit. It is cause for concern.
6. There might be headache associated with the sore throat, which is a symptom of strep throat.
7. Stomachache, acidity, vomiting are all symptoms of strep throat.
8. An infant infected with the strep bacteria may develop rough red patches all over his/her body that is an indication of scarlet fever caused due to strep throat. This will be cured once the bacteria are treated.
9. Strep throat is very painful, more than the common sore throat. So you have to be extra careful with children. Children affected will have the above symptoms and will be cranky all the time, they wont be able to sleep soundly too.
10. If these symptoms are further delayed for further investigation by a doctor then it may lead to various threatening problems like an abscess where the pustule formation may lead to infecting other organs of the body too.
11. The immune system can crash and the body will try to create its own fighting system against the strep bacteria. But this can lead to attack of the cells in the kidney and heart. These symptoms can also lead to rheumatoid fever in very rare cases. This fever causes pain in the joints and weakening of the valves of the heart. If not treated on time it can be a life long heart disorder.
12. As soon as you suspect a strep throat consult a doctor who will take a temporary throat culture test to indicate the strep throat.
13. A strep throat can be treated with antibacterial medicine; these antibiotics can arrest the growth of the streptococci in the body, helping you fight against it. These antibiotics give you instant relief from the other symptoms too. But it is a must to finish the whole prescribed course to ensure the eradication of the bacteria streptococci from the body.
14. This is a contagious infection hence it is a must to start the antibiotics as soon as the doctor prescribes it. Once the antibiotics are started, the chances of spreading these bacteria are almost negligible.