Strep throat is a disease that develops in the throat.30 million cases are diagnosed annually.Children with compromised immune symptoms are more likely to get strep than healthy adults, but it can happen at any age.There is only one way to find out if you have strep throat, and that is to go to the doctor.Even if you schedule an appointment that may suggest you have strep, there are still associated symptoms you can identify.
Step 1: Determine how bad your throat pain is.
The first sign of strep throat is severe throat pain.Even if you only have moderate throat pain, a mild sore throat is not likely to be caused by strep.The soreness should not be dependent on swallowing or talking.It is difficult to get rid of the sore throat completely without prescription medication, even though it can be dulled with pain medication or partially soothed with cold liquid and food.
Step 2: Try to swallow.
If you have a sore throat but don't feel any pain when you swallow, you may have strep.People with strep throat are more likely to experience pain during swallowing that makes it difficult to swallow.
Step 3: You should smell your breath.
Bad breath doesn't always occur in all patients, but it can be caused by an infectious disease.The reproduction of the bacteria causes this.The smell can be hard to describe.Some say it smells like metal or hospitals, while others think it's rotten meat."strep breath" will smell worse than normal bad breath regardless of the odor.This isn't really a way to diagnose strep throat, but rather a commonly seen association, due to the subjective nature of bad breath.
Step 4: The glands are in your neck.
The immunodeficiency system traps and destroys germs.If you have a sore throat, your neck will be swollen and tender.The first nodes to swell are usually the ones nearest to the source of the disease.If you have a case of strep throat, the lysosomes in and around your throat will swell.To feel the area in front of your ear, use your fingertips.You can move your fingers behind your ear.Just below the chin, check the area of your throat.The most common location for swelling of the lysies is under your jaw.Down the side of the neck, move your fingertips back and up toward the ear.Check the collarbone and repeat on both sides.If you feel swollen or bulging in any of these areas, you might have strep throat.
Step 5: You should check your tongue.
There are red dots on the tongue of people with strep throat.A lot of people compare this prickly coating to a strawberry.There are either bright red or dark red dots.They appear to be swollen.
Step 6: You should check the back of your throat.
Petechiae, red spots on the soft or hard palate, is a symptom of strep throat.
Step 7: If you still have them, check them out.
Strep throat can cause your tonsils to swell.They will appear larger and brighter than usual.The tonsils are covered in patches of white.There are patches of white on the back of the throat.They can be either yellow or white.You may notice that your tonsils are covered in white pus.This is also a symptom of strep throat.
Step 8: If you've been around someone with a sore throat, note it.
The disease is spread by direct contact with the bacterium that causes it.If you have had direct contact with someone who is sick, you will not develop strep throat.It's hard to know if someone else has the disease.If you have not been isolated, you could have come in contact with someone who has the infection.It is possible for individuals to carry and pass on the disease.
Step 9: Consider the time it took for the illness to come on.
A sore throat is usually caused by streptococcus and develops without warning.Another cause is most likely to blame if your throat became sore over the course of a few days.This alone does not rule out strep throat.
Step 10: You should check your temperature.
Strep throat can be accompanied by a high temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.6 degrees Celsius) or higher.It is more likely to be a symptom of a viral infection than it is a case of strep.
Step 11: Pay attention to headaches.
A common symptom of strep throat is headaches.They can range in severity.
Step 12: Make sure to monitor any symptoms of the stomach.
If you lose your appetite or feel sick, that's a symptom of strep throat.Strep throat can cause vomiting and stomach pain.
Step 13: Take fatigue into account.
Strep throat can lead to fatigue.It can be hard to wake up in the morning and make it through the day.
Step 14: There is a rash.
Severe strep throat infections can cause a condition known as scarlatina.This red rash is very similar to sandpaper.It takes 12 to 48 hours for scarlet fever to show up after your first symptoms.The rash starts around the neck and spreads over the chest.It can be spread to the abdomen and groin areas.It can appear on the back, arms, legs, or face in rare cases.scarlet fever can be treated with antibiotics.If there is a rash of this nature, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Step 15: Any absent symptoms should be noted.
There are a number of cold-like symptoms that people with strep throat don't show.The absence of these symptoms can be a sign that you have a throat problem.Strep throat doesn't usually cause symptoms.This means that you won't experience any of the symptoms.Strep throat can cause stomach pain, but it does not usually cause diarrhea.
Step 16: Do you have a medical history?
Some people are more likely to get an STD than others.If you have a history of strep infections, you are more likely to get a new one.
Step 17: Do you think it's likely that you have contracted strep throat?
Only 5%- 15% of sore throat visits to the doctor by adults are due to strep throat, which is 20%- 30% in children.Elderly patients, as well as individuals with concurrent illness, are more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
Step 18: Do you know if your living situation increases your risk of strep throat?
When other family members have had strep throat in the past two weeks, there is a higher likelihood of it.Schools, daycares, dormitories, and military barracks are examples of environments that pose a potential for colonization of bacteria.Babies under 2 years old are less likely to be colonized with strep throat than children their age.Older children and adults may not have the same symptoms.They might have a cold, a cough, or a decreased appetite.Ask your doctor if your baby is at risk of getting strep throat if you or someone you know has the disease.
Step 19: Do you have any health risk factors that could make you more susceptible to strep throat?
Those with compromised immune systems may be more at risk.Other infections can increase your chances of having strep.It is possible that your immune system is compromised by fatigue.Running a marathon can also tax your body.Your body may not be able to fight infections as it focuses on recovery.An exhausted body is focused on recovery and may not be able to defend itself as efficiently.Smoking can cause damage to your mouth's protective lining and allow for easier colonization ofbacteria.If you have oral sex, you can expose your mouth to more germs.Diabetes makes your body less able to fight infections.
Step 20: Know when you can see a doctor.
You don't need to see the doctor every time you have a sore throat, but if you do, you should make an appointment immediately.If your sore throat is accompanied by a rash, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high temperature lasting more than 48 hours, call the doctor.If your sore throat lasts more than 48 hours, you should talk to your doctor.
Step 21: The doctor should be aware of your concerns.
Bring a complete list of your symptoms to the doctor and let him know that you think strep might be to blame.The most telling signs of the disease will usually be checked by your doctor.Your doctor will take your temperature.Your doctor should look inside your throat with a light.He or she will most likely want to check for swollen tonsils, a red tongue rash, or white or yellow spots in the back of the throat.
Step 22: Your doctor will use a clinical diagnosis protocol.
The protocol is used by your doctor to assess your symptoms.A modified centor clinical prediction rule can be used by your doctor to show how likely you are to have a group A Streptococcal infection.This is a list of criteria that the doctor checks to determine if you should be treated for strep throat.The doctor will tally points for signs and symptoms that are positive or negative.If you score 3-4 points, there is a good chance that you have a group A streptococcal infection.You are considered positive for the disease.Your doctor will prescribe a regimen of antibiotics to treat the infection.
Step 23: The doctor can give you a rapid test.
The Centor criteria doesn't work in predicting antibiotic treatment-worthy infections in children.A rapid test can be done in the office and only takes a few minutes.The doctor will use a cotton swab to sample the fluids in the back of your throat.The fluids will be tested in the office and you should know the results within 10 minutes.
Step 24: Ask the doctor about your throat culture.
The doctor may want to give you a throat culture if the results of your rapid test are negative.In a lab, a throat culture will attempt to colonize the outside of your throat.It will become easier to detect larger amounts of group A streptococcusbacteria as the colony grows.The Centor criteria, rapid strep test, and throat culture will likely be used by your doctor.False-negatives have been known to occur when rapid strep tests alone are not enough.Throat cultures are more accurate than other cultures.If the rapid strep test comes back positive, there is no need for a throat culture as it will only test for the antigens of the bacterium.Immediate treatment with antibiotics would be indicated by this.A sample of fluids from the back of your throat will be collected by the doctor.The doctor will send the sample to a lab for analysis.Depending on the methodology of the specific lab, the plate will be in the air for 18 to 48 hours.If you have a sore throat, theBeta Streptococcus Group A will grow in the dish.
Step 25: You can find out about other testing options.
A throat culture for negative rapid tests is preferred by some doctors.The test is accurate and shows a result in a matter of hours.
Step 26: If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them.
Strep throat can be treated effectively with antibiotics.Let your doctor know if you have any known allergies to antibiotics so he or she can give you alternatives.A typical course of antibiotics can be up to 10 days.Even if you feel better before you finish the course, take your antibiotics for the full prescribed time.Penicillin is one of the most common antibiotics that can be used to treat an infections.Strep throat can be treated with penicillin.Some people may have allergic reactions to this medication.If you are aware of this possible side effect, you should inform your doctor.Amoxicillin has good results for strep throat.It is similar to penicillin in that it can be absorbed into your system before it hits your stomach.It has a different activity spectrum than penicillin.An alternative to Penicillin can be found in the form of Azithromycin, Erythromycin, or cephalosporins.erythromycin has higher rates of side effects in people.
Step 27: Stay comfortable and rest.
If you take antibiotics, the recovery should take about 10 days.Give your body time to recover while you are healing.It's possible to alleviate throat pain with extra sleep, herbal teas, and fluids.It is helpful to consume cold beverages, ice cream, and popsicles to relieve throat pain.
Step 28: If you need to, talk to your doctor.
If you don't feel better in a few days, you should call your doctor.Call your doctor if you show any signs of an allergic reaction to the antibiotics.There are signs of a reaction when you take an antibiotic.