Throat Infection

What is a throat infection?

Sore throats and infection of the throat are among the top ten reasons why people visit their GP. Throat infection is a general term used to describe any disease affecting throat which could be either caused by; virus or bacteria. The infection results in inflammation in the throat tissues, redness, swelling and pain in swallowing. The characteristic symptoms also include scratchiness or itchy throat, hoarse voice and continuous coughing. Some people may also suffer from runny or stuffy nose, redness of the eyes, fever and a heavy head.

Viral infections are the main cause behind a throat infection and usually last for three to six days. It is recommended to have lots of fluids, take ample rest and taking over the counter medications which help provide relief to the symptoms of these infections. A physician would not prescribe antibiotics in normal cases unless the infection is due to bacteria. If a throat infection is caused by some sort of a bacterial infection more care might be needed to treat this. The patient may show much severe signs and would even complain of stomach ache and nausea along with other signs. Viral infections such as flu or influenza are much easily treatable. Whether viral or bacterial; infections of the throat are highly contagious.

One of the most important things to remember is prevention. Sneezing, coughing, shaking hands or touching anything which an infected person has touched; all cause a person to catch the infection. Washing hands regularly and specially before meals can be very helpful in preventing such infections. Although it is not possible to completely avoid these infections but most of them are easily curable. It is however, very important to visit your doctor in order to understand what sort of a throat infection you have, so you can get the appropriate treatment.

Strep throat infection

Understanding the Strep throat infection

Almost all of us are familiar with the fatigue, headache, weakness and muscular pain caused by strep throat infection. Strep throat infection is more severe than a sore throat. It is a bacterial infection of throat and tonsils that is most commonly caused by a member of the streptococcus bacteria family; Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Group A Beta Hemolytic Strep). It is a very strong infectious agent. Other less common culprits are Mycoplasma, Neisseria, Corynebacterium, Yersinia, and non-Group A Strep bacteria.

The streptococcus bacteria take three to four days to incubate in the respiratory tract. After this period the symptoms become noticeable. The throat starts getting scratchy, inflamed and irritated. Other symptoms like cough, headache, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, vomiting, nausea, fever, and swollen nymph nodes also start to occur.

Strep throat infection is contagious. The bacteria responsible for the infection can easily spread through coughing and sneezing. They can transfer from a person to another more easily in schools, colleges, military facilities and families, etc; where people are in close contact with each other. That is why the most common cause of catching the infection is by contacting an infected individual. There is a risk of about 40 percent of catching the infection, if someone in the family is already affected. it is also possible to get the strep throat infection by breathing the same air with an infected individual therefore; the contact with the bacteria cannot be prevented just by good hygiene.

Most people think that strep throat infection only affects children, but actually it can affect people from all age groups. It is more common in the children though. If not treated well enough it can cause severe medical complications like otitis, heart problems, renal problems and even rheumatic fever. The possibility of getting all the aforementioned complications is higher in adults. Also, the symptoms are more severe in adults.

>>> Throat infection treatment

The Strep Throat infection symptoms

Most people use the terms sore throat, tonsillitis and strep throat interchangeably because all these conditions have very common symptoms, but medically; they all are different. Some of the common viral sore throat and strep throat infection symptoms are: difficulty in swallowing, irritated and red throat and fever. But all sore throats are not strep throats. The common symptoms of tonsillitis and strep throat are: red, inflamed and sore tonsils. Tonsillitis can also cause a painful sore throat.

Medically, Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection that is caused by streptococcus bacterium and sore throat is also one of the symptoms of strep throat. Inflamed tonsils are also a symptom associated with strep throat. White spots appear on the tonsils that are not only painful, but also lead to bad taste and bad breath. Dark or brightly red colored spots on the back roof of the mouth close to the throat are also a symptom of strep throat.

In some cases, strep throat infection may also lead to rough sandpaper like skin rash on the neck and chest which extends over to the whole body. This condition is described as Scarlet fever.

Apart from the above-mentioned symptoms strep throat can bring many complications if not treated well on time. These complications include; an infection of the Lymph glands called cervical adenitis, middle ear infection called sinus infection, acute glomerulonephritis- a severe kidney infection and other problems like heart problems, renal problems and rheumatic fever.

In infants, strep throat infection symptoms include sleeplessness, fever with a temperature higher than 101F, petulance, red rashes on legs and arms. While suffering from strep throat infection infants mostly reject milk. Other strep throat infection symptoms include: swollen lymph glands in the neck, headache and even upset stomach, pain and trouble in swallowing, fatigue and body aches.

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