Strep - What is it and how does it impact you?
Fall is officially in full swing. While exciting, it does mean that those pesky cold weather sicknesses are also beginning to spread again. The cold and flu may be the first to come to mind, but strep throat is also more active during the fall and winter months. Fortunately, Sameday Health is now offering strep testing, in addition to our convenient flu and COVID-19 test offerings. Results are available in 30 minutes and you can even bundle our strep and flu tests together to save over 60%. So, what is strep and how can Sameday Health help you stay healthy?
What is Strep throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by A Streptococcus and infects the throat and tonsils (CDC). Anyone can contract strep, but some people are at higher risk of getting the infection than others. Strep is most common in children 5 to 15 years old. Adults can also be infected, but those more likely to get sick are parents of school-aged children, adults that are in contact with children, and those in crowded settings like military training facilities (CDC).
Symptoms and How it Spreads
The bacteria lives in your nose and throat, and is spread from person to person by air droplets created when talking, coughing, and sneezing. It can also spread from infected sores on the skin (CDC). Typically, people begin to experience symptoms 2 to 5 days after being exposed to the bacteria. It is important to note that some people can be positive with strep, but not experience any symptoms. These individuals should still be treated, but they are less likely to spread the bacteria to others (CDC).
The most characteristic symptom of strep is a sore throat. Other symptoms can include:
Fever
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Pain when swallowing
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
Stomach pain
Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth (CDC).
Treatments/Prevention
The best way to avoid getting strep throat is to practice good hygiene. Washing your hands, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and sanitizing common surfaces can help stop the spread of bacteria (CDC).
Should you contract strep throat, don’t worry. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, typically penicillin or amoxicillin. If you are allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics are available for treatment (CDC). If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body and cause complications. Such complications are rare, but can be serious. These include:
Inflammation of the kidneys
Scarlet fever
Rheumatic fever
Abscesses near the tonsils (Yale Medicine).
Why bundle with Sameday?
Sometimes it is difficult to discern if the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by the flu or strep. Like strep, the flu can cause sore throat, fever, headaches, and nausea or vomiting, so getting tested for both may be necessary in some cases. To make both tests more accessible and convenient, Sameday Health now offers the strep and flu testing bundle. For only $80, you can receive both tests during one appointment and get both results in less than 30 minutes.
In addition, should you test positive for either strep or the flu, Sameday Health can also connect you with a licensed provider from the comfort of your home via a Virtual Care appointment. Our providers can answer any questions you may have and even prescribe antibiotics and other treatments for a faster recovery.
