Streptococcus is a bacterium that lives on plants, skin of humans and animals. However, the disease does not always develop, but the carrier of the bacterium can infect a person. Streptococcus in the throat manifests itself in different ways and affects various organs.
The presence of nonhemolytic streptococci in the throat rarely causes serious infections, often causing caries and endocarditis.
The greatest danger is hemolytic streptococcus, which can provoke the appearance of such diseases as scarlet fever, erysipelas, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and many others.
Causes of inflammation
Infection can develop due to lesions not only of the throat, but also of the upper part of the esophagus, and the mouth. To give impetus to the development of the disease may complicate sinusitis , laryngitis, stomatitis and rhinitis.
Transmission of streptococci occurs in the following ways:
- when interacting with contaminated objects, bed linen, dishes;
- air-drop method for coughing and sneezing.
Streptococcus in the throat - symptoms
Recognize streptococcal infection is possible by the following features:
- acute course of the disease with chills and general weakness;
- high temperature reaching 39 degrees;
- occurrence of a rash on the hands, feet, upper body;
- Muscle pain, sore throat;
- chills, followed by fever;
- a headache that does not stop for two to three days;
- increased tonsils, difficulty swallowing.
The presence of streptococcus hemolytic in the throat can cause disruption of the heart, kidneys, nervous system. In many cases, the infection is quite dangerous. So, for example, with angina, it often goes to the ears, and in case of complications it causes blood poisoning and intoxication of the body.
How to treat streptococcus in the throat?
Treatment should begin immediately, in order to prevent the spread of the disease to other organs and prevent the formation of abscesses. The patient is prescribed antibiotics: penicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin. Drugs such as macrolides (Clarithromycin, Azithromycin) are prescribed only to individuals who are allergic to the antibiotics of the penicillin group.
It is important to continue treatment of streptococcus in the throat even with a rapid improvement in the state of health and the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease. The patient should undergo a full course of treatment lasting 10 days to avoid possible complications.
Antibiotic treatment is recommended for the following groups of people, if they have been in contact with a patient with streptococcal infection:
- elderly people aged 65 and over;
- persons with weak immunity;
- suffering from diabetes .
To family members who are not included in this group, even in the absence of any symptoms, it will not be superfluous to hand over a smear to make sure that the number of streptococci in the throat does not exceed the norm.
How to cure streptococcus in the throat of a house?
The intake of paracetamol-containing drugs, for example, teraflium or antiflum, gives a noticeable improvement, however for a short time. Many, noticing the improvement, stop taking antibiotics, thereby increasing the likelihood of complications.
To remove toxins from the body, the patient needs to drink plenty of warm liquid (three liters a day). It can be teas, juices, compotes or plain water. To strengthen immunity, it is useful to include foods rich in vitamin C in the menu.
To accelerate the healing process, it is recommended to drink decoctions from the string and hop. It is also important to add garlic, raspberries, strawberries and cherry juice containing substances that stop the reproduction of bacteria.