Strep throat

Strep throat – general information:

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection caused by the streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat is often confused with sore throat or tonsillitis, however, the two are not bacterial infections and the best cure for them is simply to wait till they end while strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics treatment usually quickly brings results and prevents the infection from spreading. Moreover, sore throat is often connected with fever and does not lead to complications, but untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever which can subsequently cause inflamed and painful joints, or even damage to heart valves. Furthermore, strep throat can have so severe complications as to lead to kidney inflammation.

Strep throat is most common in schoolchildren and adolescents, however practically everyone can get this disease as the infection can be transmitted by sneezing, shaking hands, or taking items with hard surfaces from infected persons.

Group A Streptococcus comprises a number of strains of bacteria that can produce a wide range of illnesses such as:

• Strep throat - easily treated with a course of conventional antibiotics.
• Impetigo - mild skin infection accompanied by open, draining sores. .
• Scarlet fever - a fever, sore throat, red sandpaper-like rash and a red tongue.
• Glomerulonephritis - a complication of streptococcal infections, usually strep throat or impetigo.

Picture of Streptococcus