At some point of our life each one of us would have developed strep throat. The throat becomes scratchy and sore due to bacterial infection. Strep throat infection is common in young children and it is to be treated with antibiotics to prevent any complications. It can cause throat pain, sore throat and inflammation of throat and tonsils. If left untreated for long time, strep throat can cause scarlet fever and inflammation of kidneys.
Strep Throat Symptoms :
Some of the common signs of strep throat are sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, swollen tonsils, and red colored throat with white patches on it, swollen lymph nodes and mild fever. It can cause tiny spots on the soft palate. For some people it can cause headache and skin rashes. Young children may get dehydrated by not drinking anything due to swollen throat.
If your child has developed a sore throat with swollen lymph nodes or if he has fever with difficulty in swallowing it can be a sign of strep throat. The symptoms of sore throat develop suddenly but the infection would be severe causing pain and inflammation. Strep throat is contagious and hence your child can spread the disease when he coughs or sneezes. Bacteria exists in the tiny droplets of air particles which would be breathed by others causing infection.
Causes :
Strep throat is caused by bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Often bacteria enter into the body of others by inhaling air particles that contain strep bacteria or by sharing food particles of infected person. It can also be passed on to other people when they touch the infected objects and accidentally rub their nose or eyes.
Who Are At Risk?