Infections caused by the bacteria streptococcus are represented especially by irritation and inflammation of the back throat and tonsils. The symptoms occur sudden and are represented by fever and severe throat pains. Sore throats can be triggered by group C and G streptococci but most commonly the infection is due to the presence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.



The main symptoms of the streptococcus infection causing a sore throat are fever usually more than 38.5, difficulties and pain during swallowing, inflamed lymph nodes and inflamed and irritated tonsils with presence of white or yellow points on their surface. Less common, the streptococcus infections can produce headaches and abdominal pain as well as rare cases of skin rash, vomiting and lack of appetite. Most of the streptococcus conditions are accompanied by a general feeling of illness and discomfort.

The time period between contacting the bacteria and developing the symptoms is usually of 2-5 days and is called incubation period. Patients that have been exposed to streptococcus are considered contagious and can spread the infection to others if they show specific symptoms or have not started an antibiotic therapy yet. Also some of the persons without clinical manifestations can spread the bacteria. In 24 to 48 hours after you have started the medication with antibiotics, you are no longer considered contagious; contacts that do not seek medical help remain contagious for about 2-3 weeks even if the symptoms disappear.

In spite of the cases when the rapid streptococcus test is positive, the most common cause of sore throats is viral infections especially with Influenza. Strep infections do not trigger symptoms like coughs, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, signs usually connected to different types of colds. If the mentioned symptoms are present, it is more likely for you to suffer from an Influenza infection than from a streptococcus triggered sore throat.

There are several practical methods to detect streptococcus and be able to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Most useful identification methods are the rapid test, the physical examination and the medical history of the patient. The presence of streptococcus detected through the rapid test can be confirmed by the most accurate but longer lasting bacterial culture.

Sore throats caused by streptococcus usually go away in 3-7 days with or without medical care and ant biotherapy. Antibiotics do not influence the curing period very much but are administered to kill the bacteria and prevent contagiousness and further complications. For benefic effects, antibiotics must be administered within the first 2-3 days after the symptoms have occurred.

Symptomatic treatments for fever, pains and discomfort, are also non-pharmaceutical products, especially homeopathic ones.

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