Treatment and Prevention of Streptococcal Infection in Children

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Published on January 24, 2017 by shiva

Streptococcal infection is generally caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Streptococcal infection is also called as strep throat that usually causes pain and inflammation in the throat. Strep throat is nothing but a bacterial infection that can infect mostly children. Strep throat affects people of all age groups. Streptococcal infection is common in children between the age group of 5 and 15. Strep throat can spread from person to person.
Streptococcal Throat Infection Symptoms
The common symptoms of streptococcal infection include the following:
• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Throat pain
• Painful swallowing
• Swollen red tonsils
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
• Nausea
• Body aches
Causes of Streptococcal Infection
The main cause of streptococcal infection is Streptococcus pyogenes organism. The causative organism is also referred as group A streptococcus. These organisms are highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets.
When an infected person cough or sneezes these organisms spread in the environment. The infection can also spread through sharing foods and drinks with the infected person. Young children are generally are at high risk of Streptococcal infection and
Diagnosis of Streptococcal Infection

Streptococcal infection can be diagnosed with the help of two specific tests like:
1.Rapid antigen test
Rapid antigen test is generally done by taking swab sample from your throat. This diagnostic test can detect streptococcus bacterium in minutes by determining the antigens present in your throat. This test is usually prescribed by your doctor seeing the symptoms that are associated with streptococcal infection.
2.Throat culture
Throat culture is done when your results are negative for rapid antigen test and your doctor still have a doubt that you are suffering with strep throat. During throat culture a sterile swab is used to take the sample and then the sample is cultured in the laboratory. It is done to determine the presence of bacteria in your throat.
Strep Throat Treatment
Streptococcal infection is a curable bacterial infection. Strep throat usually gets cured in few weeks without treatment. The common methods used for treating strep throat when the symptoms do not subsides in few weeks include:
• Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics are generally prescribed to children while suffering with Streptococcal infection. Antibiotics mainly help in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms associated with strep throat.
• Symptom relieving medication
The other symptoms that can be cured with medication include fever and throat pain. You doctor will prescribe medications for your children to relieve pain.
Strep Throat Prevention
You can avoid Streptococcal infection by following the below precautionary measures:
• Keep your hands clean
Instruct and train your children to wash their hands properly before having food. Keeping hands clean can help in avoiding many different infections.
• Cover your mouth
Teach your children to cover their mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing to avoid getting in contact with infections.
• Avoid sharing personal items
While suffering with Streptococcal infection, avoid sharing your personal items to prevent the spread of infection to other healthy individual.

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