The soreness should not be dependent on anything such as talking or swallowing. Soreness that can be dulled with pain medication or partially soothed with cold liquid and food might still be related to strep throat, but it is usually quite difficult to rid yourself of the soreness completely without prescription medication.
While potent, the exact smell can be difficult to describe. Some state that it smells like metal or hospitals, while others compare it to rotten meat. Regardless of the exact odor, “strep breath” will smell stronger and worse than normal bad breath. Due to the somewhat subjective nature of “bad breath,” this is not really a way to diagnose strep throat, but rather a commonly seen association. [3] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ).
While lymph nodes are located in various parts of your body, the first nodes to swell are usually those that are nearest to the source of infection. In the case of strep throat, the lymph nodes in and around your throat will be the ones to swell. Use your fingertips to gently feel the area directly in front of your ear. Move your fingertips in a circular motion behind your ear. Also check the area of your throat just below the chin. The most common site of lymph node swelling with strep throat is under your jaw, about midway between your chin and your ear. Move your fingertips back and up toward the ear, then down the side of the neck below the ear. Finish by checking the collarbone and repeating on both sides. If you can feel notable swelling or bulging in any of these areas, your lymph nodes might be swollen due to strep. [5] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ).
These red dots can either be bright red or dark red. They generally appear to be inflamed.
Instead of white patches, you may notice long streaks of white pus coating your tonsils. [8] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). This is also a symptom of strep throat.
It can be very difficult to know if someone else has strep. Unless you have been isolated completely, you probably could have come in contact with someone who has the infection. It is also possible for individuals to carry and pass on strep without having symptoms themselves.
However, this alone does not rule out strep throat.
Scarlet fever usually surfaces 12 to 48 hours after your first strep throat symptoms emerge. The rash usually begins around the neck before developing and spreading over the chest. It can also spread to the abdomen and groin areas. In rare cases, it may appear on the back, arms, legs, or face. When treated with antibiotics, scarlet fever generally clears up quickly. If you notice a rash of this nature, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not other strep throat symptoms are present.
Strep throat does not usually cause nasal symptoms. This means that you will not experience a cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, or red, itchy eyes. Additionally, while strep throat can cause stomach pain, it does not usually cause diarrhea.
Elderly patients, as well as individuals with concurrent illness (such as the flu), are more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
While children are at higher risk for strep throat, babies under age 2 are much less likely to be infected with strep throat. However, they may not have the usual symptoms as older children and adults. They may have a fever, runny nose, or cough as well as a decreased appetite. Ask your doctor about your baby’s risk of getting strep throat if you or another close contact has strep and they have a fever or other symptoms.
Your immune system may be compromised simply due to fatigue. States of extreme exertion or exercise (such as running a marathon) can also tax your body. As your body focuses on recovery, it’s ability to fight infection may be impeded. Simply put, an exhausted body is focused on recovery and may not be able to defend itself as efficiently. Smoking can cause damage to your protective mucosa in the mouth and allow for easier colonization of bacteria. Oral Sex can expose your oral cavity to be more directly exposed to bacteria. Diabetes decreases the ability of your body to fight infection.
You should also talk to your doctor if your sore throat lasts longer than 48 hours.
Expect your doctor to take your temperature. Also expect your doctor to look inside your throat with a light. He or she will most likely want to check for swollen tonsils, a red bumpy tongue rash, or white or yellow spots in the back of the throat.
The doctor will tally points, positive or negative, for signs and symptoms: +1 point for milky, white spots on the tonsils (tonsillar exudates), +1 point for tender lymph nodes (tender anterior chain cervical adenopathy), +1 point for a history of recent fever, +1 point for less than 15 years of age, +0 point for an age between 15-45 years old, -1 point for being greater than 45 years old, and -1 point for a cough. If you score 3-4 points, then there is a positive predictive value (PPV) of roughly 80% that you have a group A streptococcal infection. Basically, you are considered positive for strep. This infection should be treated with antibiotics and your doctor will prescribe the proper regimen. [18] X Research source McIsaac WJ, Kellner JD, Aufricht P, et al. Empirical validation of guidelines for the management of pharyngitis in children and adults. JAMA. 2004;291:1587–1595.
The doctor will use a cotton swab (similar to a Q-tip) to sample the fluids in the back of your throat for bacteria. These fluids will then be tested in the office, and within 5 to 10 minutes, you should know the results.
While rapid strep tests alone are usually enough to determine whether or not a strep infection is present, false-negatives have been known to occur. Throat cultures, by comparison, are more accurate. A throat culture is not needed if the rapid strep test comes back positive, as the rapid strep test directly tests for antigens to the bacteria and will only test positive if a threshold level of bacteria are present. This would indicate immediate treatment with antibiotics. [22] X Research source Domino, F. (n. d. ). The 5-minute clinical consult standard 2015 (23rd ed. ). The doctor will use a cotton swab to collect a sample of fluids from the back of your throat. The doctor will send the swab to a lab and the lab will transfer that sample to an agar plate. The plate will incubate for 18-48 hours depending on the methodology of the specific lab. If you have strep throat, then Beta Streptococcus Group A bacteria will grow in the dish.
A typical course of antibiotics is usually up to 10 days (depending on specific antibiotics decided by your doctor). Be sure to take your antibiotics for the fully prescribed time, even if you feel better before you finish the full course. Penicillin, Amoxicillin, cephalosporins, and Azithromycin are all common antibiotics that can be used to treat an infection. Penicillin is used often and effectively in the treatment of Strep throat. However, some individuals may have allergic reactions to this medication. You should let your doctor know if you are aware of this possible side effect. Amoxicillin is another drug of choice for strep throat with good results. It is similar to penicillin in effectiveness and can withstand the gastric acid in your stomach better before being absorbed into your system. Additionally, it has a broader activity spectrum than penicillin. Azithromycin, Erythromycin, or cephalosporins are used as an alternative to Penicillin when a person is known to have allergies to penicillin. Note that erythromycin has higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects in people.
Extra sleep, herbal teas, and plenty of fluids can help alleviate throat pain while you recover. In addition, it is sometimes helpful to consume cold beverages, ice cream, and popsicles to ease throat pain.
