Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by admin

Besides the common cold and flu, there are numerous other contagious diseases that you need to know about. Among them is strep throat. As the name suggests, strep throat affects the throat and sometimes displays symptoms similar to sore throat or flu. This post will explain strep throat, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment after getting an urgent care strep test. Keep on reading for more information about this contagious disease. 

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a common infectious disease that spreads through bacteria. Once infected, they develop pain and inflammation in the throat. A Streptococcus bacterium is a group of bacteria that is responsible for spreading this infection. Anyone from a kid to an adult can get this infection. However, those at high risk of contracting strep throat are children between the ages of 5 and 15. Strep throat can spread from one person to another through coughing, sneezing, or sharing food utensils. You may also get it if you come into contact with someone with strep throat. If you doubt you have strep throat, you should get a proper urgent care strep test. 

Being a highly contagious disease, strep throat spreads through respiratory droplets. When someone with strep throat sneezes or coughs, these droplets become airborne and infect anyone around the infected person. In many cases, strep throat affects children more than adults. Strep throat is highly contagious and can quickly spread in daycare centers and schools where children congregate. Another group of people who are highly susceptible to strep throat is parents and teachers who are frequently around these children. Children under three years rarely get strep throat. 

What symptoms develop from strep throat?

Strep throat affects people differently, and symptoms may vary from person to person. While some may experience severe symptoms like swallowing difficulty and fever, others may develop mild symptoms like a sore throat. Therefore, getting an urgent care strep test is important to know what you are suffering from. Symptoms of strep throat start developing five days after exposure to the bacteria. Some of the primary symptoms of strep throat include:

  • Headache 
  • Loss of appetite
  • A sudden fever of 101˚F (38˚C) or higher
  • A sore, red throat with white patches
  • Swallowing difficulty 
  • Chills
  • Lymph nodes swell in the neck

You need to know that sometimes you may not develop a fever when you have strep throat. Other uncommon symptoms associated with strep throat include gastrointestinal symptoms such as:

  • Vomiting 
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain

Strep symptoms in children are mild compared to adults. A rash called scarlatina or scarlet fever is usually associated with strep throat. The rash can develop before other symptoms or come later, seven days after exposure. The rash starts very small and later becomes big, like fine bumps. Within a week, the inflammation will disappear. However, the areas that developed these rushes will start peeling after exposure. Some symptoms may show symptoms of a viral infection and not strep throat. 

If your symptoms include the following, you may not have strep throat. You may be coming up with a different infection:

  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • Hoarse voice
  • Cough
  • Runny nose

You may be given amoxicillin from a presumed strep throat. If this happens and you have mono, you may develop a rash from the antibiotics. To get an accurate diagnosis to know whether you are suffering from strep throat, you need to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get an urgent care strep test. 

Risk factors for Strep Throat 

Although Strep Throat can affect anyone, certain factors can increase the risk of getting it. If you habitually touch your eyes now and then, you may contract Strep Throat. Children between the ages of 5 to 15 years old are at a higher risk of strep infection since they often congregate in schools and daycare centers. 

Conclusion 

If you get strep throat, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it since it is a bacterial infection. Strep Throat affects people differently. Therefore the symptoms may not develop the same way for everyone. The best way to avoid Strep infections is to maintain good hygiene by frequently washing your hands and avoiding contact with persons infected with Strep Throat. Always consult your doctor to get a proper Strep diagnosis that guarantees accurate results.