Strep Throat

Strep throat is an inflamed (painful, swollen, red) throat caused by infection with a kind of bacteria called group A Streptococci.  Strep throat is very contagious and passed from person to person.  If you think you may have strep throat, see your heath care provider for evaluation and diagnosis.  Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics.  With antibiotic treatment, your fever and sore throat pain are usually gone within 24 hours. If you are given antibiotics, take them as prescribed. After taking antibiotics for 24 hours, your strep throat will no longer be contagious. It is important to treat strep throat to prevent rare but serious complications that could affect your heart or kidneys.

Symptoms

·      Sore throat (pharyngitis)

·      Red throat

·      Painful swallowing

·      Fever

·      Chills

·      White patches or pus on your tonsils

·      Headaches

·      Muscle aches and pains

·      Tired feeling

·      Swollen, tender lymph nodes (glands) in the neck

·      Loss of appetite

More of What You Should Know:

·      Get plenty of rest

·      Avoid smoking or cigarette smoke

·      Take your prescribed medicine until it is completely gone.

·      If you have a history of bleeding in your stomach, do not take ibuprofen or naproxen unless prescribed by your doctor.

·      Drink plenty of liquids (water, juices, avoid alcohol).

·      Do not force solid food if swallowing is too painful.

·      Gargle with salt water. Stir 1/2 teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water to make your own salt water gargle

·      Suck hard candy or throat lozenges.

·      Rest your voice by avoiding excessive talking.

·      Use tissues to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, discard after use.

·      Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 15 seconds before touching food, dishes, glasses, silverware, or cloth napkins.

·      You can use an alcohol based hand cleaners to clean your hands.

·      Use paper cups and paper towels in bathrooms instead of shared drinking cups and hand towels.

·      Do not share food and eating utensils with others.

Seek Emergency Medical Care If:

·      You have trouble breathing or swallowing.

·      Your feel like your throat or tongue are swelling.

·      You have a severe headache that does not get better with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

·      You start to have a very stiff neck and have pain when you bend your head forward.

You have a fever higher than 101.5° F (38.6° C) orally that does not go down after taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

For more health care topics, visit Nurse's Notes at Our Banana Moments

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