What is Strep Throat?

What is Strep Throat? Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats. If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage. Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages. If you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat, see your doctor for prompt testing and treatment.

What Causes Strep Throat? 

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes or group A Streptococcus (also known as group A strep, or GAS). You can become infected with strep throat if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after being exposed to these bacteria. Along with coughing and sneezing, strep throat can be spread when you share food or a drink with someone who’s infected. You can also get strep throat by coming into contact with an object contaminated with group A strep bacteria, such as a doorknob or faucet, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:

• A painful sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils that may have white patches or streaks of pus
• Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
• Headache
• High temperature
• Rash
• Body aches/flu like symptoms
• Vomiting

When to Visit a Doctor

 It is important to visit a doctor if your sore throat is also accompanied by swollen tonsils, a rash, high temperature and problems breathing or swallowing.

Who Are RXLive Pharmacy?  

This article was written by the pharmaceutical experts at RXLive online pharmacy, who post repeat prescriptions to you for free! You may wish to consider using services such as RXLive, which provide a free delivery service to ensure you never miss your medication again and have a dedicated pharmacist ready to chat at all times. You can sign-up to the service here – completely free!