Strep throat prevention

As in the case of other infections a good way of preventing a strep throat is simply keeping your hands clean. Yet, as strep throat might spread airborne it is also important to cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing. Additionally, when someone at home has a strep throat his/her kitchen utensils should be separated from other and cleaned particularly thoroughly. No food or drinks should be shared with a person having a strep throat and towels, handkerchiefs and napkins as well. For children who have recurrent strep throat tonsils removal is advised and effective.

Because the streptococcal bacteria can live also on water taps and door handles they should be cleaned regularly when an infected person is at home. However, the bacteria are less resistant is humid air, so humidifying home might also help to prevent spreading the infection. Also smoking irritates the throat and makes it more susceptible to the bacteria, therefore avoiding smoking and breathing others’ smoke may help prevent getting infected.

Summary

Things to do to prevent strep throat:

• keep your hands clean
• cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing
• don't share food, drinks, towels, handkerchiefs, and napkins
• keep door handles clean
• humidify your home
• avoid smoking and breathing others’ smoke