Let’s talk about strep throat. The numbers in the office have increased over the past week or so, and it’s a nasty little bug. This illness occurs after being exposed to someone who also has it.
Symptoms of strep can be diverse. Typically, sore throat can be the only complaint, but what people don’t know is there are lots of other symptoms as well. Many people have a nagging headache that is only temporarily relieved with over-the counter medications. Malaise, body aches, fever, and abdominal pain with nausea/vomiting/diarrhea area also very common in someone with strep throat.
Here is a fact about strep– usually strep throat is a self-limited condition and lasts about 2 to 5 days. BUT!! It is important to treat strep because of the nasty complications it can cause. Strep can cause complications such as rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis (acute kidney damage), scarlet fever, organ failure, meningitis, ear infections, sinus infections, necrotizing fasciitis, and so much more. (Yes, you read right– necrotizing fasciitis– you can lose limbs people!)
Antibiotics are the treatment for strep throat– if you are not allergic to penicillin, your provider will most likely put you on penicillin or amoxicillin twice daily for ten days. If you are allergic to penicillin, medications like clindamycin or cephalexin can be used with good efficacy. PLEASE take your antibiotics!
Other things to help you feel better during your encounter with this nasty bug is of course ibuprofen/tylenol and fluids. That honey method is always a soother for the throat along with warm salt water gargles. Chloraseptic spray can help temporarily decrease pain in the throat as well.
Make sure if you have strep, lysol everything– you have to get those germs gone! Change your toothbrush because the bacteria is all in those bristles at this point, and if you swipe your toothbrush across your toothpaste, change that as well. Hope these little tips help!