When you think of early spring, birdsong and blooming flowers come to mind. Unfortunately, another common sign of the season is a rise in strep throat cases. While strep throat can strike at any time of year, it spreads more easily during certain seasons. Below is your guide to understanding how strep throat spreads and how to stay healthy when it’s going around.
What Is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils by a type of bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus. The infection causes inflammation that makes your throat feel sore. While strep throat is most common in children ages 5 to 15, it can affect people of all ages and is one of the leading causes of sore throat in both children and adults.
Strep Throat Symptoms
Strep throat often starts with the sudden onset of a sore throat followed by pain when swallowing, a high fever, chills, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and nausea. Unlike viral infections, you will not have a cough with strep throat.
How Does Strep Throat Spread?
Strep throat is highly contagious, especially in places where people are in close contact like schools, churches, and daycares. Some individuals can carry and spread the bacteria without showing obvious symptoms. The infection spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also be passed along by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the bacteria, or by sharing food, drinks, or utensils. Being in the same room as infected individuals and breathing the same air can increase your chances of exposure.
When Should I See a Doctor for Strep Throat?
If you have the symptoms of strep throat, it’s important to seek medical attention from your primary care physician or an urgent care clinic. They will administer a painless strep test to check for the presence of A Streptococcus bacteria.
Treatment for Strep Throat
The most common treatment for strep throat is a course of antibiotics, which work to kill the bacteria causing the infection. It’s essential to take the full prescription even if you start feeling better to ensure all the bacteria are eliminated. If left untreated, the bacteria that causes strep throat can spread to other areas of the body and cause complications. Keep in mind that a person with strep throat is still contagious for 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics.
Can I Prevent the Spread of Strep Throat?
The best way to prevent the spread of strep throat is to wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap. Don’t share drinks or utensils with individuals who could be sick and always use a tissue to cover your coughs and sneezes.
Treating Strep Throat at Integrity Urgent Care
If you’re experiencing symptoms of strep throat, Integrity Urgent Care has you covered with convenient locations across Texas. Whether you prefer to walk in or schedule an appointment, our experienced urgent care team is ready to help. We offer rapid in-house strep testing with same-day results, so you can get answers and treatment quickly. If you’re looking for a long-term healthcare partner, we’re excited to offer primary care services at our dedicated clinic in Copperas Cove, Texas.
Find an Integrity Urgent Care Clinic near you: https://integrityuc.com/locations/
