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Strep Infections

Posted by Admin on April 17th, 2010 filed in Uncategorized

strepthroatWe’ve had strep in our house this week (ME!), which has prompted me to investigate some basics about how strep is contracted and passed in my efforts to keep my germs to myself and avoid infecting other family members.

Group A strep infections like strep throat are very common and are very easily transmitted from person to person.

Left untreated, Group A strep can cause serious complications like acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and a kidney disease called acute glomerulonephritis. Group A strep is also a cause of impetigo (you an also catch strep throat from impetigo bacteria).

Strep is spread by sneezing and coughing, so it passes easily among schools, daycare centers and other crowded locations.

Common symptoms start 1 to 5 days after initial exposure and symptoms include:

  • Sudden onset of a severe sore throat accompanied by a fever
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck

Once antibiotics begin, strep patients can return to work or school 24 hours after their fever is gone and within 48 hours after beginning antibiotics.

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