What is a Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection (Streptococcus bacteria) that can cause swelling, pain, and inflammation in the throat. It only amounts to a small part of the infective throat conditions. The infection spreads via sneezing, coughing, and close contact with an infected person.

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

It can take about 5-7 days for the symptoms to manifest. The symptoms of strep throat may vary in severity. These symptoms can range from mild to severe in adults. Children are more likely to develop uncommon and severe symptoms due to throat infections.

Common symptoms of strep throat include:

• Sudden sore throat
• High fever
• Headache and stomachache
• Trouble swallowing food and water
• Tender and swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Uncommon symptoms can include rashes on the skin, which are called scarlet fever. Red, bumpy rashes erupt on the skin and typically subside in a week.

What causes strep throat?

Infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes result in strep throat. Strep throat is a contagious disease and can spread from one person to another through direct contact. contaminated surface, such as a doorknob or faucet, then touches their face, it can transfer the bacteria.

When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the bacteria can spread through the cough droplets. It can also spread through the sharing of utensils, food, and drinks.

Prevention of strep throat

Strep throat can be prevented by following the following few tips:

Nutrition

Eating a well-balanced meal that contains all the essential nutrients can boost immunity and prevent infections. Eating cold, oily, or sugary foods can make the throat susceptible to infections.

Exercise

Regular exercise can keep the body healthy and enhance the immune system.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking can irritate the inner lining of the respiratory tract. Inflammation in the throat can increase the risk of throat and tonsil infections. Even passive smoking by inhaling the fumes can make one susceptible.

Keep hands clean

Washing hands is one of the best preventive measures against all types of infection. Use soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based sanitizer to prevent the spread of infection.

Isolate personal items 

Avoid close contact with an infected person to prevent the further spread of the disease. Use different utensils and toiletries. Wash all of them with hot water and soap after use. 

Risk factors for strep throat

Factors that can increase the likelihood of strep throat are:

Age: Children are the more severe symptoms of strep throat, often because their immune system is still underdeveloped.

Seasonal changes: Although the throat infection can spread at any time, it is more common during the seasonal changes, with humidity and temperature playing a role in increasing bacterial growth.

Pre-existing chronic conditions: can reduce immunity and result in the spread of the highly contagious bacterial infection.

How is strep throat diagnosed?

A physical examination of the signs and symptoms with specific tests can help the doctor diagnose strep throat.  

Rapid antigen test

This test requires a throat swab sample. It detects the presence of streptococcal bacteria through any antigen present in the throat. 

Rapid DNA test 

This also uses a swab sample to detect the presence of bacteria in the throat.

Throat culture

A sample, taken from the throat and the tonsil area, collects the sample of secretions. The lab cultures this sample for bacterial growth. The test also guides the treatment by determining whether the bacteria is susceptible or resistant to certain antibiotics.

Treatment options

Treatment of strep throat mainly aims at:

Reducing the symptoms

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen can help relieve throat pain and fever symptoms. 

Curing the bacterial infection

Antibiotics assist in decreasing the severity and complications of strep throat. They also reduce the spread of the infection to other people.

Preventing it from spreading in the future

Regular flu vaccines can improve the immune response against bacterial infection, protecting an individual from infection. 

Cost of strep throat treatment in India

Medical care for strep throat is easily available in India. The cost of testing and treating strep throat can be around a couple of thousand rupees at the most. In cases of severe infection, the cost may increase as the treatment and diagnosis will be more extensive and aggressive.

Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited