Streptococcus

or Strep Bacterial Infection

Streptococcus is a common type of bacteria found in our bodies. It may be usually harmless and people carrying it might not even be aware of it. Scientists have classified these bacteria into several categories and named these groups after the alphabets. However, some of its types can be quite harmful and might be responsible for scarlet fever, pneumonia, meningitis and one of the most common infections strep throat. This bacterium has round cells, attached in forms of chains. The bacterium which causes strep throat is found in clusters in our nostrils and throat cavities. So when a carrier sneezes or coughs it makes the bacteria to spread through air making strep throat contagious. The streptococci in group A are what gives us strep throat.

Since strep throat is a bacterial infection unlike other throat infections, which might be viral; doctors often prescribe antibiotics to strep throat patients. The antibiotic does not do anything for the disease but makes sure that this bacterium does not spread further into your body. If the bacteria are not controlled it may lead to other complications and your throat infection might turn into something serious such as scarlet fever or rheumatic fever. The second purpose of prescribing antibiotics is to ensure that streptococcus is not transferred to others.

Although most people might mistake strep throat for a common cold as the symptoms are quite similar. A physician would do a rapid strep throat test or take a throat swab and if streptococcus is found in it, it means you have strep throat. What differentiates strep throat from other throat infections are its accompanying symptoms which include; high fevers; as high as 101F and would last for more than two days. A strep throat patient may also experience loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting along with severe headaches.

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