Atalie Lim, MD, pediatrician with Dignity Well being Medical Group — Inland Empire, shares how simply strep throat can unfold, and learn how to decrease your dangers of catching the bacterial an infection.
How do I do know if I’ve strep throat?“When you have a sore throat, it could possibly be a viral an infection just like the widespread chilly, or it could possibly be a bacterial an infection like strep throat. It may be onerous to inform the distinction, however that can assist you decide what you’ve, you possibly can take note of your signs,” says Dr. Lim. “In case you are not sure, you possibly can go to your physician who can carry out a swab check.”
Dr. Lim explains that widespread signs when you’ve a chilly are a runny nostril, sneezing and coughing. Nevertheless, you probably have strep throat, you might be prone to have pink tonsils, swollen neck glands, and ache with swallowing. With strep throat, you’ll usually not have a cough.
How contagious is strep throat?“Strep throat may be very simply unfold. You possibly can change into contaminated by respiratory droplets or direct contact with an contaminated individual, like by sharing utensils,” says Dr. Lim. “Strep is commonest in youngsters ages 5 by 15.”
You possibly can additional stop the unfold of strep throat in your house by completely cleansing and making an attempt your greatest to isolate the contaminated individual whereas they’re nonetheless contagious.
How lengthy is strep throat contagious?“Strep throat is often handled with antibiotics, and kids could return to high school after 12 hours of beginning antibiotic remedy,” says Dr. Lim. “If untreated, the bacteriacan unfold to different components of your physique. It may possibly trigger severe issues together with kidney irritation and coronary heart issues.”
In the event you suspect you’ll have strep throat, you possibly can schedule an in-person or digital appointment along with your major care doctor. Our “Discover a Physician” device may help you discover a Dignity Well being doctor close to you.