Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)

The figure shows the infectes throat

It affects the pharynx including the tonsils and possibly the larynx
Common symptoms of strep throat in children and adults:

• Severe and sudden sore throat without coughing, sneezing, or other cold symptoms.
• Pain or difficulty with swallowing.
• Fever over 38.3°C. Lower fevers may point to a viral infection and not strep.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
• White or yellow spots or coating on the throat and tonsils camera.
• Bright red throat or dark red spots on the roof of the mouth at the back near the throat.
• Swollen tonsils, although this symptom may also be caused by a viral infection.

 

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The figure shows the infected strep throat

 

 

Cause

streptococcal bacteria – group A beta-hemolytic (most common), group B beta-hemolytic, group C beta-hemolytic
Can be passed from one infected person to another (coughing, wheezing, sneezing).

 


Symptoms

Strep throat usually begin within 2 to 5 days after coming in contact with someone who has a strep infection. Strep throat usually goes away in 3 to 7 days with or without antibiotic treatment. In contrast, if allergies or irritants are the cause of your sore throat, it will usually last longer unless the cause is eliminated.

 

 



The figure shows the bacteria of the strep throat

 

 

Treatment

Antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalexin, or amoxicillin are used to treat strep throat. Antibiotics work only against bacterial infections such as strep throat. They will not help sore throats caused by allergies or viral infections such as colds.


If strep throat is not treated with antibiotics, you will continue to be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks even if your symptoms go away. You are much less contagious within 24 hours of starting antibiotics and are less likely to develop complications of the strep infection.


Although waiting to treat strep throat may prolong the time you have the illness, delaying treatment for a few days does not increase the risk of rheumatic fever or other complications.3


Your doctor also may recommend nonprescription medicines such as acetaminophen or anesthetic throat sprays to help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by strep throat. Acetaminophen will also reduce fever.

 

 

Function of Antibiotics are commonly used to:

1. Kill the bacteria and shorten the time you are contagious. You are typically no longer contagious 24 hours after you start antibiotics.
2.  

   Prevent rare complications. Although uncommon, strep bacteria can spread to other parts of your body causing ear or sinus infections or an abscess behind or around the tonsils (peritonsillar abscess). Antibiotics may also prevent the infection from triggering your immune system to attack itself and cause serious conditions such as rheumatic fever
3. Relieve discomfort and speed healing to some degree.

 

Important of antibiotics

Antibiotic treatment can begin immediately if a strep infection is confirmed by a rapid strep test. But there is no harm in waiting for the results of a throat culture to confirm strep throat before starting antibiotic treatment. In fact, it is better to wait until strep throat has been confirmed so that antibiotics are not used unnecessarily. Overuse of antibiotics can make them ineffective.