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Understanding What Does Strep Mean?
Strep is a term that most people have heard before, but not everyone knows what it means. The term is a shortened version of streptococcus, which is a type of bacteria.
There are different types of streptococcus bacteria, and most of them are harmless. However, some types can cause infections in humans that can be serious or even life-threatening.
Types of Strep Infections
The following are common types of strep infections:
- Strep throat: This is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is contagious and spreads through contact with an infected person.
- Scarlet fever: This is a strep throat infection that is accompanied by a rash. It is caused by the same group A streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat.
- Skin infections: Strep bacteria can cause impetigo, which is a skin infection that causes blisters or sores on the face, arms, and legs. Cellulitis is another skin infection caused by strep bacteria.
- Strep pneumonia: This is an infection in the lungs caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. The symptoms of strep pneumonia are similar to those of the flu and include fever, cough, and chest pain.
- Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: This is a rare but serious complication of a strep infection. It can cause organ failure and death.
How is Strep Diagnosed?
Strep throat is usually diagnosed by a throat swab test. A healthcare provider will use a special swab to take a sample from the back of the person’s throat. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be tested for the presence of strep bacteria.
Scarlet fever is diagnosed in the same way as strep throat. However, if a person has strep throat and develops a rash, their healthcare provider will examine the rash to determine if it is scarlet fever.
Skin infections caused by strep bacteria are usually diagnosed by a physical examination of the skin. In some cases, a sample of the pus or fluid from the infection may be sent to a laboratory for testing.
Strep pneumonia is usually diagnosed by a chest X-ray and a laboratory test of the person’s sputum, which is the mucus that is coughed up from the lungs.
Treatment for Strep Infections
Treatment for strep infections usually involves antibiotics. Antibiotics are medications that can kill the bacteria causing the infection. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of strep bacteria causing the infection.
It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider, even if the person starts feeling better before the medication is finished. This helps to ensure that all the bacteria causing the infection are killed.
In addition to antibiotics, a person with a strep infection may also be advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take pain relievers to reduce fever and pain.
Preventing Strep Infections
Strep infections can be prevented by taking the following precautions:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, and utensils with others
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently
- Stay home when sick and avoid close contact with others who are sick
Conclusion
Strep is a term that refers to streptococcus bacteria, which can cause serious infections in humans. Strep throat, scarlet fever, skin infections, and strep pneumonia are common types of strep infections. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, and prevention involves taking precautions, like frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with sick people.
Common Questions and Answers
- What is strep throat?
- Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. It is contagious and spreads through contact with an infected person.
- What are the symptoms of strep throat?
- The symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen glands in the neck, fever, headache, and nausea.
- How is strep throat treated?
- Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, rest, and pain relievers to reduce fever and pain. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.
- Can strep throat lead to other complications?
- Yes, untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications, such as rheumatic fever, which can cause damage to the heart, joints, and other organs.
- What is scarlet fever?
- Scarlet fever is a strep throat infection that is accompanied by a rash. It is caused by the same group A streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat.
- How is scarlet fever treated?
- Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics, rest, and pain relievers to reduce fever and pain. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.
- What is impetigo?
- Impetigo is a skin infection caused by strep bacteria. It causes blisters or sores on the face, arms, and legs.
- How is impetigo treated?
- Impetigo is treated with antibiotics and by keeping the affected area clean. In severe cases, the blisters or sores may need to be drained.
- What is streptococcal toxic shock syndrome?
- Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rare but serious complication of a strep infection. It can cause organ failure and death.
- How can strep infections be prevented?
- Strep infections can be prevented by washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoiding sharing food, drinks, and utensils with others, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are touched frequently, staying home when sick, and avoiding close contact with others who are sick.
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, October 24). Strep throat. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350336
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017, September 15). Impetigo. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/impetigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20352367
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, April 27). Scarlet fever. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scarlet-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20377406
World Health Organization. (2018, November). Streptococcus. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/streptococcus