Strep throat is inflammation and swelling of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes due to infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is very contagious and the bacteria responsible for causing the illness can be easily acquired by entering in contact with contaminated people. Streptococcus bacteria are airborne and they can be transmitted through droplets of mucus produced by cough or sneezing. The incubation period of strep throat is around three days and most symptoms of the illness emerge after this period of time. Strep throat usually generates symptoms such as cough, throat inflammation and pain, nausea, fatigue, weakness, headache and moderate to high fever. In order to prevent the occurrence of complications, doctors recommend treating the illness with antibiotics.
Although they have been used in strep throat treatments for decades, some old-fashioned antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin seem to be less effective in overcoming the illness these days. Doctors claim that bacterial strains have mutated and evolved considerably lately, rendering some forms of treatment ineffective in fighting infections. The primary cause for the increased resistance of bacteria to penicillin and amoxicillin is inappropriate treatment. Physicians explain that the misuse of antibiotics allows bacteria to adapt and even become immune to various types of medications.
While in the past penicillin and amoxicillin could successfully cure strep throat, nowadays more and more patients experience a recurrence of the illness soon after the treatment is completed. Recently conducted research results estimate that around 30 percent of patients who are prescribed penicillin or amoxicillin experience a relapse of the illness. Due to their decreased potency in fighting bacteria, physicians strongly recommend not to use penicillin and amoxicillin-based antibiotics any more.
Modern medicine has quickly come up with more reliable replacements for penicillin and amoxicillin. The age of antibiotics has provided us with a wide range of new, more effective drugs such as cephalosporins. Doctors claim that cephalosporins are nowadays the best alternative to old-fashioned antibiotics. Cephalosporins are stronger, more reliable and safer than penicillin and amoxicillin and they can completely overcome strep throat in a shorter amount of time. Physicians state that cephalosporins can cure bacterial infections in 4 to 5 days of treatment, instead of 10, as in the case of other antibiotics. Also, patients who are prescribed cephalosporins in the treatment for strep throat are less likely to experience a relapse of the infection.
Cephalosporins are available under the form of tablets or capsules and they can be purchased from any drugstore. However, just like other antibiotics, cephalosporins are only released with medical prescription and they shouldn't be used without the doctor's recommendation.
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Strep Throat is More Than Just an Ailment
Strep throat is inflammation and swelling of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes. Unlike sore throat, which is caused by infection with viruses, strep throat is caused by infection with bacteria. While most sore throats generate mild symptoms and clear naturally, without the aid of medical treatments, strep throat generally requires a course of antibiotics. Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications such as otitis, heart problems, renal problems and even rheumatic fever. On the premises of a weak immune system, strep throat can be very severe, in which case doctors recommend prompt medical treatment with antibiotics.
Strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacterium, a strong and very contagious infectious agent. Strep throat is very widespread in the flu seasons and it can be easily acquired by entering in contact with people who carry the bacteria responsible for causing the illness. Streptococcus bacteria are airborne and they can be contracted simply by breathing the same air with an infected person.
Lots of people believe that strep throat only affects children. This idea is unfunded, as strep throat can be acquired by anyone, regardless of age. Although strep throat has the highest incidence in very young children and teenagers, it can also occur in adults. In fact, strep throat is more likely to generate complications when it is acquired by adults. Adults who suffer from strep throat usually have more intense symptoms and they need a longer period of recovery from illness. When it occurs in the elderly, strep throat is more difficult to overcome and the infection with streptococcus bacteria is very likely to become systemic.
When suffering from strep throat, it is recommended to pay a visit to your physician as soon as possible. The doctor will perform an overall physical examination, in order to reveal any clinical signs of bacterial infection. Unlike viral forms of the illness, strep throat usually causes enlargement of the tonsils and lymph nodes, symptoms that are very suggestive for infection with bacteria. Fever is also a very revealing sign of strep throat. The presence of these common symptoms of strep throat is usually sufficient for diagnosing the illness. In order to confirm the clinical diagnosis, doctors may also take samples of the inflamed tissues for laboratory analysis. If the cause of illness proves to be infection with group A streptococcus bacteria, the doctor will prescribe you an appropriate treatment with antibiotics.
In spite of their side-effects, medical treatments with antibiotics are the most effective means of curing strep throat in present. Doctors strongly recommend a 10-day course of penicillin or amoxicillin to all people affected by strep throat. New generation antibiotics such as cephalosporins can overcome the illness in an even shorter amount of time, curing bacterial infections within 4-5 days of treatment. Prescribed in the incipient stages of the illness, an appropriate medical treatment with antibiotics can provide a quick symptomatic relief for people who suffer from strep throat. Furthermore, antibiotics can prevent the occurrence of serious complications such as rheumatic fever, kidney infections and heart disease.
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Untreated Strep Throat Can Lead To Serious Complications
While sore throat is an ailment that clears on itself within a few days, strep throat often requires medical treatment with antibiotics. Physicians claim that in the absence of an appropriate medical treatment, strep throat can rapidly aggravate and lead to complications such as rheumatic fever, cardiovascular diseases or kidney affections. Before penicillin was discovered, infection with streptococcus bacteria could even cause life-threatening diseases. However, nowadays strep throat can be easily overcome with the means of specific antibiotic treatments.
It is very important to understand that sore throat and strep throat are not the same thing. Sore throat is caused by infection with viral agents and its generated symptoms are mild. By contrast, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria and its generated symptoms are usually intense. Strep throat produces symptoms such as inflammation and swelling of the throat, cough, nausea, fatigue, high fever, enlargement of the tonsils and lymph nodes. While the symptoms of sore throat usually ameliorate within a few days in the absence of medical treatment, the symptoms of strep throat intensify gradually and can persist for more than a week. In many cases, untreated strep throat can lead to tonsillitis, otitis and scarlet fever. On the premises of a weak immune system, the infection can even become systemic, affecting the body on multiple levels.
Strep throat is very contagious and it can be easily acquired in the flu seasons. Unlike in the case of sore throat, the symptoms of strep throat have a rapid onset and they are considerably more intense.
Sometimes, clinical examinations alone can distinguish between sore throat and strep throat. By measuring patients' body temperature and by examining the aspect of the tonsils, doctors are usually able to tell whether the infection is caused by viruses or bacteria. However, strep throat can be correctly diagnosed only with the means of laboratory tests. In order to determine the nature of the infection, doctors take a sample of mucus for analysis. If the illness is indeed caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, doctors usually recommend an appropriate medical treatment with antibiotics.
Considering the fact that antibiotics can generate various side effects, physicians only prescribe these drugs when the illness is serious. If the throat inflammation doesn't appear to be caused by infection with streptococcus bacteria, doctors usually recommend letting the illness heal naturally. If the symptoms of strep throat persist for more than a few days and appear to intensify, physicians may prescribe a treatment with penicillin or amoxicillin. These antibiotics have been successfully used to cure strep throat for decades and they are still effective in overcoming the illness in present.
The treatment with antibiotics needs to be followed for more than 10 days in order to ensure a complete recovery. It is very important to respect the doctor's indications and to correctly follow the prescribed medical treatment. If the treatment with antibiotics is prematurely interrupted, the infection is very likely to reoccur.
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