When you have strep throat, your body is fighting the bacteria that has infected your throat and tonsils. The impact of this infection can be very painful in the initial stage and then we see some relief once the body starts feeling better. But before you know it, you feel the pain again and need another round of antibiotics to get better again.
Strep throat is a disease caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. This bacterium is commonly found inside the mouth and nose of 30 percent of adults without causing any issues.
However, if these bacteria are able to breach the defense barriers of our body, they start multiplying rapidly and cause infections such as strep throat or a skin rash called impetigo.
What are the signs and symptoms of strep throat?
The first and most noticeable sign of strep throat is severe pain in the throat. This pain is accompanied by excessive swelling in your throat that makes swallowing difficult. You might also experience pain when opening your mouth and when you try to talk.
If you have a really bad case of strep throat, the pain can travel up to the ears and the head and cause headaches. One of the most common but overlooked symptoms of strep throat is a fever. The bacteria that are causing the infection release toxins that make your system go into a fight-or-flight mode.
In this mode, your body temperature increases to help your body fight the infection better. Strep throat can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms as well, such as chills, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dry cough, and abdominal pain.
How long does strep throat last?
A normal case of strep throat should not last longer than a week. However, it is common to find people with strep throat for up to 3 weeks. The symptoms of strep throat may last for 2 to 4 days, and the period of time for the antibiotic to work to heal the infection may last for 5 to 10 days.
The symptoms of strep throat can last for one week, but the healing process can take as long as three weeks. It’s not uncommon for it to last longer than a week.
When does strep throat turn into a rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever is a rare complication of strep throat that can lead to long-term complications if not treated properly. It is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your body treats your own organs as infected and starts attacking them. In the case of rheumatic fever, the joint and heart valves become inflamed due to the excessive immune response.
This disease can develop in anyone who has a strep throat infection. However, it is more common in children and adolescents. You can prevent rheumatic fever if you treat strep throat with antibiotics as soon as you notice the symptoms.
How to feel better when you have strep throat?
The best way to feel better when you have strep throat is to take antibiotics. Antibiotics are prescribed for all types of infections and are very effective at killing the bacteria that cause the infection. They work by killing the bacteria that is causing the infection by disrupting the DNA inside them.
If you don’t treat strep throat with antibiotics, the bacteria will keep multiplying and cause more damage. This could lead to abscesses forming in your tonsils, which is a very painful and serious condition.
Strep Throat Treatment Options
There are a few things you can do to treat a mild case of strep throat. One of the best things you can do is to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. This helps to flush out the bacteria and toxins faster, reducing the duration of the infection.
You can also use a lozenge with a painkiller, like paracetamol, to reduce the pain and swelling. Another good option is gargling with salt water to soothe the pain and reduce inflammation.
Warm tea or hot water with lemon can also help to soothe the throat and reduce the pain. You can also try eating food that is soft and easy to digest. Avoid sugary foods that can cause bacteria to grow.
Conclusion
A bout of strep throat is never a pleasant experience. The best way to prevent it is by getting vaccinated against the infection. You can also follow these tips to make the symptoms less severe: Drink plenty of fluids, Take antibiotics as soon as you notice the symptoms, Stay hydrated, Avoid sugary and fatty foods, Stay away from people who are sick, and Try to relax.
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