Have you heard of a purulent strep throat (คออักเสบเป็นหนอง, this is the term in Thai) infection? It is one of the common infections during winter and spring seasons. To know more about throat infections, keep on reading below. Group A Streptococcus, also known as group A strep, is a kind of bacteria that causes strep throat and tonsils. A sore throat and extreme inflammation are the results of strep throat. The illness can usually be diagnosed by a throat culture or a quick strep test by a medical professional. Antibiotics are typically used in treatment.
What can cause strep throat infection?
A beta-hemolytic streptococcus pyogenes, which is a particular bacterial group is the cause of strep throat. Many people have this bacteria living in their throats and noses. When group A strep is dormant, it doesn’t show any symptoms. But if this organism gets going, it can spread to deeper tissues, including the tonsils. Additionally easily transmissible by mouth and nose secretions, group A strep can potentially infect others. Therefore, you may contract strep throat from an infected individual or from your own dormant bacteria.
Diagnosing strep throat infection?
Diagnosing such infections is not based just on symptoms. A strep test and throat swab are required to accurately diagnose the illness. Answers to rapid strep tests come back quickly. To increase accuracy, some fast tests, however, need to be repeated overnight. Test-based strep diagnosis is crucial since antibiotics are necessary for treating genuine strep infections. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral sore throats. Using one when infected with a virus can cause a rash and raise the possibility of drug-resistant germs growing.
Available treatments and how to prevent it
Rheumatic fever is a rare but potentially dangerous disease that can result from group A strep infections. Rheumatic fever is far more dangerous than scarlet fever. This happens when you have infection from group A strep and your immune system starts attacking your skin, joints, brain, and heart. The most effective method of avoiding rheumatic fever is to treat strep throat with an antibiotic. Additionally, antibiotics prevent strep from spreading from others. It takes around 12 hours after the initial medication dosage for strep throat to become non-contagious. Unfortunately, the duration of symptoms is only reduced by one or two days with antibiotics. You will therefore probably continue to have a painful throat for a few days even after taking an antibiotic.
You probably are wondering how to prevent the infection? Well, the good thing is that such infection can be totally prevented when due diligence is exercised. There’s no real method to keep the dormant strep in your throat and nose from reactivating. It simply occurs! On the other hand, you can stop it from spreading by staying at home when you’re sick, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with sick people. It all boils down to understanding your body and avoid things that can worsen your condition. Listen to your body and always practice healthy habits.
