IS IT STREP THROAT? Recognizing & avoiding this contagious bacteria

Patient First providers have recently seen an increase in cases of strep throat. To help keep you and your family healthy, we have included some helpful prevention tips and information about what symptoms to watch for.
 
Strep throat is contagious amongst close contacts. This bacterial infection can be spread through the air, by sharing food or drinks, or by touching a contaminated surface (like a doorknob, counter, eating utensils/dishware, or phone) and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth. That’s why strep throat often spreads within families and close school and daycare contacts, and is most common among patients between the ages of 5 and 15. “Over the past several weeks, there has been an increase in the number of visits to our centers for sore throats,” says Patient First physician, Dr. Heather Osher. She attributes the rise in strep cases she’s seen to increases in social gatherings, and reductions in the number of people wearing face masks. “It is important to be vigilant and be evaluated by a health care professional. Untreated strep throat can lead to complications, including ear infections, tonsil abscesses, and on rare occasion, rheumatic fever” – a disease that can affect the heart, joints, brain and skin.
 
Symptoms: Some, but not necessarily all, of these symptoms can begin appearing two to five days after exposure to the strep bacteria
 

• Sudden soreness in the throat
• Difficulty and/or pain when swallowing
• Fever and/or chills
• Red and/or swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or stomach pain
• Body aches
• Small discolored spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth
• Rash on the body

• Coughing
• Runny Nose
• Raspy voice (laryngitis)
• Pink Eye (conjunctivitis)

• Strep Throat:  https://www.patientfirst.com/services/illnesses/strep-throat