You have a sore throat, cough, runny nose, and your body may feel sore. Do you have the common cold, or could you possibly have the flu? Sometimes it can be tough to tell.
Some symptoms of viral infections are treatable with over the counter medicine and home remedies, but when your persistent cough lingers for weeks at a time, this could be a sign of another medical condition, such as strep throat.
Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection in the throat area. Group A Streptocccusbacteria (group A strep) is the main cause of strep throat. The bacteria can live in a person’s nose or throat without causing any illness, but by breathing, coughing, or sneezing, an infected person releases droplets of the bacteria into the air and on surfaces. Touching a contaminated area or being in close contact with someone who has strep throat can spread the virus.
The throat becomes irritated and inflamed, which can cause a severe throat. While strep throat is more common amongst children and teens, anyone who interacts with someone who has strep throat is highly susceptible to catching it. The common symptoms of strep throat include:
- Sore/dry throat
- Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes
- Hoarseness or loss of voice
- Headache
- Upset stomach or loss of appetite
- High fever (over 101° F)
- White or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat
If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms for longer than 48 hours, it’s best to seek medical attention. Strep throat is easily treatable with antibiotics and bed rest.
At FirstCall Medical Center, we can treat your symptoms, provide you with antibiotics, and offer medical information about treatment and prevention to keep you and your family members safe from getting strep throat.
For more information on the services we provide, please call to speak with one of our medical professionals at 410-730-3399.