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Nov 30, 2022 · Rest, drink fluids, eat soft foods and take pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to help ease symptoms. Learn more about the symptoms, causes and treatment of this throat bacterial infection in children and adults.
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May 19, 2024 · Doctors most often prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin to treat strep throat. They are the top choices because they're safer, inexpensive, and they work well on strep bacteria.
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Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
•Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
•Painful swallowing
•Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
•Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
•Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms:
•A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands
•A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours
•A fever
•A sore throat accompanied by a rash
•Problems breathing or swallowing
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Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Several factors can increase your risk of strep throat infection:
•Young age. Strep throat occurs most commonly in children.
Spread of infection
Strep bacteria may spread, causing infection in:
Inflammatory reactions
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
To prevent strep infection:
•Wash your hands. Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections. That's why it's important to wash your own hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Teach your children how to wash their hands properly using soap and water or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no soap and water available.
•Cover your mouth. Teach your children to cover their mouths with an elbow or tissue when they cough or sneeze.
•Don't share personal items. Don't share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Wash dishes in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
•Know the signs of strep throat in children
Dec 20, 2022 · The best way to prevent strep throat is by practicing good hygiene. You should wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. It’s especially important to wash your hands before eating (to protect yourself) and after coughing and sneezing (to protect others).
- Take ibuprofen (Motrin) Ibuprofen (Motrin) relieves pain and reduces inflammation, which can make it easier for you to eat and swallow. It will also bring down your temperature if you have a fever.
- Eat soft and soothing foods. When you have strep throat, the back of your throat is swollen, inflamed, and prone to irritation. Crunchy foods tend to have sharper edges and can make things worse.
- Try a lozenge or honey. Lozenges and some throat sprays contain benzocaine or menthol, which can temporarily numb the back of the throat. This can provide you with pain relief so you can drink and sleep more comfortably.
- Drink cold fluids. Cold fluids do double duty when it comes to relieving strep throat. First, cold fluids temporarily numb the throat, providing pain relief.
May 16, 2024 · Hoarse voice. Pinkeye (also called conjunctivitis) Strep throat typically appears as pus or inflammation at the back of your throat. While you can usually treat sore throats caused by...
Nov 10, 2023 · Penicillin or amoxicillin are considered the best first-line treatments for Strep throat. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) “There has never been a report of a clinical isolate of group A strep that is resistant to penicillin”.
