Strep throat is the most common throat infection caused by bacteria. It usually crops up during late fall through early spring.
A streptococcus bacteria is the instigator of a very painful sore throat. A primary symptom of strep throat is a red and painfully scratchy sore throat, sometimes accompanied by white or yellow patches on your tonsils.
You could also experience these other symptoms besides just a painful sore throat:
Within 3 days after exposure to the germ that causes strep’s painful sore throat, you may get sick.
Plenty of rest is needed during recovery, and to help ease the symptoms of strep’s painfully sore throat:
- warm liquids ~ soup, hot chocolate
- cold foods ~ popsicles, milkshakes
Also, these can help prevent dehydration, especially if fever is present. Strep throat is spread by direct contact with saliva or nasal discharge from an infected person. It most often infects children between the ages of 5 and 15, without guarantee for other age groups.
See your doctor immediately for strep testing and treatment whenever experiencing a painful, red and patchy sore throat with a “longer than 24 hour” fever. Untreated strep throat can lead to further health complications, like scarlet or rheumatic fever.