What causes Strep Throat?
Although many people have been infected with strep throat, most don’t understand what caused this ailment in the first place. As a result, they are doomed to face the disease again in the future.
Strep throat is caused by a bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also referred to as group A streptococcus in the medical world.
This bacteria is contagious, with it being easily spread through airborne droplets when somebody with the infection sneezes or coughs. Additionally, you can also contract the bacteria from hard surfaces, such as computer keyboards and doorknobs.
Just because you have a painful sore throat does not mean you have contracted Streptococcus pyogenes. Some sore throats are caused by a viral infection. While this type of sore throat can be every bit as painful, it is not caused by the same thing.
A medical professional can diagnose strep throat via a variety of tests, including a rapid strep test and throat culture. Once the results are in hand, you will know without a doubt if you are dealing with this infection.
Before you visit a doctor, however, you may be able to determine if you have strep throat by keeping a close eye on your symptoms. The most common symptoms include:
- Pain when you swallow
- Sudden onset of a sore throat
- Fever of 101F or higher
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen tonsils
- White spots on the back of the throat
Once you come in contact with Streptococcus pyogenes, it takes anywhere from two to five days to experience symptoms. During this time, however, you are contagious. Since no symptoms are present, you will not realize the importance of avoiding contact with others. Subsequently, spreading the disease is often times the result.
Strep throat is spread from one person to the next with the infected party not often knowing that they are putting others at risk.
Knowledge of what causes this disease can help those with strep throat avoid spreading it to others.