Strep throat is extremely contagious and can be a real pain in the neck (literally!) if caught. Fortunately, with proper treatment, you can be feeling relief within about a week.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
If you think that you may have been exposed, or if you fear that your sore throat might be something worse, here are some symptoms to look for:
- Sore throat/pain while swallowing
- Redness on tonsils and/or roof of the mouth
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throats are fairly common and are usually indicative of things like colds, allergies, or viruses. What sets strep apart is that it is caused by bacteria and can be treated by antibiotics. These can be prescribed following a diagnosis by an ENT doctor.
An ENT doctor, or ear, nose, and throat doctor, is a specialist in a wide variety of areas, including swallowing and speech. They are equipped with many tools to help you feel better, especially if you’re dealing with strep. Though primary care doctors can also administer tests and treatments, ENTs can help you identify if your strep throat may be a sign of a larger problem. A test will allow them to know how to best proceed with treatment. There are two primary tests:
- Rapid strep test
- This test can identify a positive case of strep throat within minutes. A sample is taken from the back of the throat while the tongue is held down with a depressor.
- Culture test
- A negative rapid test does not necessarily mean that you are strep-free. If your doctor still thinks your symptoms may be from strep, they may order a culture test. In this case, a sample is once again taken from the back of the throat and tonsils. The sample will rest in a lab for about two days to see if bacteria grow.
If you receive positive test results, it is crucial to take all of your prescribed antibiotics. Although you may start to feel relief before your dose is completely gone, any remaining bacteria could grow back and cause further complications.
It’s never fun to feel sick, but we hope that with these tips, you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time! Come see us at VitalCare Family Practice to get your strep throat diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible!
