Strep Throat

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How is it spread?

      When someone comes in contact with the infected person or the things they use.

Can it prevented?

      Yes, through the normal procedures.

      Keep all cuts covered, wash hands before an after eating, and make sure that the person infected with strep throat doesn’t share anything with anyone else and is isolated. Wash anything that may be infected in hot, soapy water to get rid of or kill the bacteria. Especially don’t handle used tissues or anything else that may be infected or has mucus on it!

Can it be cured?

      When someone is diagnosed with strep throat, the doctor will give him or her antibiotics to speed up the healing process. It can be taken as a pill, liquid, or shot. To make sure that it doesn’t spread to other parts of the body, all of the medicine must be finished. Drinking soothing liquids like warm chicken soup and tea can help soothe your throat, but stay away from things like spicy or acidic foods, because it might irritate your throat. In order to keep the bacteria away from others, the infected person must not go to school until he or she has had the antibiotic for twenty-four hours.

What are the Symptoms?

• Headaches
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Queasiness or illness
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble swallowing
• Swollen tonsils
• Skin rashes
• Stiff joints
• Grey or white membrane covering tonsils

Interesting Facts

In some cases, untreated strep may cause arthritis or heart problems.

Group A Streptococci account for about 15-20% of all throat sores found in the body.