Symptoms of Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Around 15-30% of children who are in between 5 to 10 years of age get affected by Streptococcal Pharyngitis. This ailment is definitely less common in adults and statistics reveal that 5-15% of adults do get infected!

How Dreadful is Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal Pharyngitis is the inflammation of the Pharnyx that is often caused by the group A streptococci bacteria. Though, antibiotics prove to be handy in curing this ailment, it is imperative that the ailment is diagnosed on time. Timely detection is very important since this has proven to be highly contagious. Additionally, when left untreated, the streptococci bacteria leads to secondary infections that can range from glomerulonephritis to rheumatic fever.

Common Symptoms

Streptococcal Pharyngitis symptoms start with fever and sore throat. Headache is common. You can even experience a loss in your appetite. Further to this, you are likely to have a tender and swollen neck. Your tonsils might appear red and a few yellow or white spots at the back of it might become visible.

Flu symptoms versus Streptococcal Pharyngitis Symptoms

Symptoms of flu resemble the Streptococcal Pharyngitis Symptoms. Hence confusion in the diagnosis of this ailment is highly likely.

To start with the right antibiotic treatment, generally a rapid strep test is initially performed when you report one or more of the above symptoms to your doctor. If in case you test positive, your medical practitioner starts with the right antibiotics further. But, if in case the result comes out as negative, you can never rule out the chances of Streptococcal Pharyngitis contraction.

Further to the negative result in strep test, you would be asked to resort to a culture test wherein the bacteria is allowed to grow in a culture. This is further analyzed at the laboratory and the results are reveled in the succeeding 2-3 days time.

Even if the culture test gives out a negative result, it is vital to opt for a rapid influenza test since the flu symptoms like fever, muscle and head aches resemble the pharyngitis symptoms

Based on the results of the above diagnostic tests, your doctor would be ready with the next course of action for you. The pathetic scenario in case of streptococcal pharyngitis is the fact that many infected people opt not to get medicated and hence develop enormous chances of transmitting this disease. This ailment is highly contagious for a very long period of time.

So, the next time when any of the above symptoms are seen either in you or those around you, please ensure that you/ your beloved one is taken to the doctor on time to prevent further infection and transmission!