How do you get Strep Throat?

Year in and year out, millions of people throughout the world are struck with strep throat. As a result, these people require treatment that can help them regain their previous level of health.

Many people are under the impression that any type of painful sore throat is strep, however, nothing could be further from the truth.

Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection. Strep throat, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes (or group A streptococcus).

Note: if you have cold symptoms, such as sneezing and coughing, it is not likely that you have strep throat. That being said, you may want to visit with your doctor to be tested and ensure that you are following the proper treatment protocol.

Although strep throat is most common in children, anybody can contract the bacteria.

This disease is spread by person-to-person contact, such as when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares a drink with another person. You can also get strep throat by picking up the bacteria from hard surfaces, such as a doorknob or desk.

Strep throat can spread quickly, often times infecting multiple members of a house, school, or athletic team in no time at all.

To protect against spreading and contracting strep throat, there are two things to consider:

Don't go around others who have strep throat, and if you do be sure to take the necessary precautions, such as washing your hands as often as possible.
If you have strep throat, attempt to stay away from others while you are being treated with antibiotics.

While painful, the symptoms of strep throat usually get better within a week. Treatment with antibiotics will speed up the process. Strep throat that is untreated can often times lead to serious complications, such as: ear infection, rheumatic fever, and scarlet fever among others.

Now that you know how you get strep throat, you will have an easier time diagnosing this disease and hopefully avoiding it altogether.