Allergies vs. viruses: What you should know
How Do You Know If You Have Strep Throat?
Lots of things can cause a sore throat. One cause, especially in children and teens, is the bacteria that creates strep throat. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is the formal name of the bacterium.
Viruses can cause a sore throat, too. They include:
Other things that might cause your sore throat include:
When you have strep, you'll usually find that your throat is raw and it hurts to swallow. Your sore throat, if it's caused by strep, will come on very fast, not gradually like many other kinds of sore throats. While the infection is more common in kids than adults, adults who spend a lot of time with kids, like parents and teachers, are at risk, too.
Strep throat symptoms in adults
Symptoms that are common in people of any age, including adults, include:
Strep throat symptoms in kids
Strep throat is most common among children between ages 5 and 15. If your child has strep throat, they might have added symptoms, such as:
Strep throat with a rash
You might also see a red, sandpaper-like rash that starts in the face and neck area and then spreads to the rest of the body. This could be a sign of scarlet fever , a reaction to a strep infection that can, in rare cases, lead to serious complications. You should call your doctor if you see this rash.
A sore throat from strep can hurt quite a bit and cause symptoms like headaches and fever.(Photo credit: E+/Getty Images)
What does step throat feel like?
Strep throat can hurt more than other kinds of sore throat. It can especially hurt to swallow. You might notice the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen and tender to the touch. If you have a rash, it might feel like sandpaper.
Some people have mild symptoms, but others feel pretty sick, with fevers, chills, poor appetite, and other signs of infection.
How long does strep throat take to show symptoms?
You are most likely to show symptoms 2 to 5 days after getting infected. You can spread the infection to others during this time, before you show any symptoms.
It's easy to confuse it with other conditions, including viral infections and allergies, so it helps to know that it usually doesn't come with:
If you have any combination of those symptoms, you probably have a virus or allergy. Also, while you might feel a cold coming on for several days, strep symptoms usually start suddenly. If you have allergy symptoms or a mild cold, you probably feel like you can go on with your day. With strep, you often feel too tired, feverish, and sick for your usual activities.
Another clue: If your child is under age 3, their illness is unlikely to be strep.
Most sore throats aren't strep.The cause is something else about 70% of the time in children and 85% to 95% of the time in adults.
If you suspect strep or you're not sure, your doctor can do a simple swab test to see if there are strep bacteria in your throat. It's important to find out, because if you leave it untreated, strep throat can lead to more serious complications in some cases.
The bacteria that cause strep are quite contagious. That means they spread easily from person to person, especially in the same household. The bacteria also can spread in crowded settings, like daycare centers, schools, jails, shelters, and military barracks.
When someone has strep, they have the bacteria in their nose and throat. When they talk, cough, or sneeze, they send droplets containing the bacteria into the air. The droplets can settle on nearby surfaces as well. Other people can get infected when they:
Breathe in the droplets
Touch something the droplets landed on, then touch their noses or eyes
Share personal items, like drinking glasses
Since strep bacteria can also cause skin infections, it's also possible to get strep throat by touching an infected person's skin sores.
You can protect yourself when someone you live with has strep by frequently washing your hands and not sharing unwashed dishes or utensils. Children shouldn't share toys when one of them has strep.
What time of year is strep throat most common?
You can get strep throat at any time of year, but it's most common in the winter and spring. One reason may be that so many children and teens are inside together in big groups during those months.
Why is strep more common in children?
Like other common infections, strep throat is likely more common in children for several reasons. These might include:
Immune systems that aren't as good at fighting off infections
Immature airways that are more susceptible to infection
Spending time in crowded settings like daycares and schools--and having siblings who do, too
Putting their hands in their mouths more often
Why do I keep getting strep throat?
If you or your child get strep repeatedly, you're not alone. Some people are prone to repeat infections. One reason may be that they are frequently around someone who is a strep carrier -- someone who has the bacteria but doesn't necessarily have symptoms. Or they could be a strep carrier themselves, with symptoms from time to time. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the symptoms are really from the bacteria or something else if you are a carrier.
Some strep infections return if you don't finish the antibiotics you get to treat them.
Other possible factors could be genetic and immune system differences that make some people more susceptible to strep infections.
If you think you or your child has strep throat, you should always see a doctor. Unlike colds and flus, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, the bacteria that cause strep throat can spread to other parts of your body, causing complications such as ear and sinus infections and pockets of pus around your tonsils. One of the most serious potential complications is rheumatic fever, an immune system reaction that can damage your heart valves.
Antibiotics can prevent such complications. But you need a test to confirm the diagnosis and get a prescription.
After swabbing your throat, the doctor can do quick test in the office. If the quick test is positive, you have strep. If it's negative, you might or might not have strep. A lab test that comes back in a couple of days can give you a definite answer in that case.
If you have strep, you'll need to take all the antibiotics you are prescribed to clear up the infection and prevent complications. Stay home from work or school until you no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 12-24 hours.
What if I develop a fever after three days of antibiotics?
If you are not getting better or develop a fever or symptoms after a couple of days on antibiotics, call the doctor.
If you or your child have trouble breathing, are extremely weak, or have purple or blood-colored spots with a fever, call 911. You should also seek immediate care if someone has trouble swallowing, has a very high fever, or signs of dehydration, like dark urine and a very dry mouth.
A sudden, painful, sore throat could be strep, especially if you don't have signs of a cold, flu, or allergy, like coughing or a runny nose. Strep is especially common in kids between ages 5 and 15. If you suspect strep, see a doctor. Antibiotic treatment can help you feel better, prevent complications, and get you back to work or school quickly.
Would strep throat go away on its own?
Untreated strep might go away after a week or so. But in some cases it could linger, causing complications and infecting other people.
How can I get rid of strep throat fast?
The fastest way to get rid of strep and feel better is to take antibiotics.
Can I get rid of step throat overnight?
Antibiotics don't work quite that fast. But you should feel better in a day or two.
How long is strep contagious?
People taking antibiotics are less contagious after a day or two. Someone with untreated strep can infect others for 2 or 3 weeks.
Can you prevent strep throat when you feel it coming?
You can't prevent strep once you have symptoms. But you can do things to feel better. That includes gargling with salt water, taking pain relievers, resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating soft foods. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, you should wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, and avoid sharing your personal items.
Is It A Cold Or Hay Fever? How To Tell The Difference, According To An Expert
Struggling to shift a pesky cold again?
Wondering why your eyes are also feeling irritated, along with endless sniffles?
If this sounds familiar, it might be that you don't actually have a cold at all, but hay fever is causing your symptoms – especially now we're well into spring.
Symptoms can overlap but it's helpful to know which one you've got, so you can manage it appropriately.
So, how can you tell whether you've got a cold or hay fever?
The symptoms of a cold and hay fever can overlap, both causing runny noses, but only a cold will give a temperature
Is it a cold or hay fever?They're caused by different things, firstly. Colds are caused by a virus that's spread from one infected person to another.
Hay fever, meanwhile, is not contagious. It's an allergic reaction some people have to pollen.
'Pollen is a fine dust that disperses in the wind to reach other plants for pollination and start new plants,' says Claire Nevinson, Boots superintendent pharmacist.
'Tree pollen counts are highest between late March and mid-May, while grass and weed pollen counts are highest between mid-May and September.
'If you have hay fever, you're most likely to experience symptoms when the pollen count is high.'
Tree pollen counts are highest between late March and mid-May, while grass and weed pollen counts are highest between mid-May and September
When are your symptoms happening?Noticing patterns with the timing of your symptoms can also help indicate whether it's hay fever.
Do symptoms usually appear during pollen season, and get worse you go outside?
However, viruses are still around during spring and summer, so the time of year doesn't rule out a cold entirely.
'Colds can still occur during warmer months, and usually involve sneezing and coughing, along with a sore throat, headache and sometimes a loss of taste and smell,' says Nevinson.
viruses are still around during spring and summer, so the time of year doesn't rule out a cold entirely
Are there differences in symptoms?Many of the symptoms can be similar, but there are also tell-tale differences between a cold and hay fever.
'Hay fever doesn't cause a high temperature,' says Nevinson. 'And most people do not feel unwell.'
Some people's hay fever can be quite severe though, so how badly affected you are can vary.
Another key indicator is duration of symptoms.
'A cold usually lasts one to two weeks, while hay fever can last for weeks or even months, depending on the pollen count,' notes Nevinson.
'The higher the pollen count, the worse the symptoms are likely to be.'
The key symptoms of hay fever, Nevinson adds, include: 'Sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red watery eyes or an itchy throat.'
Coughs are generally more associated with colds than hay fever, as well as general aches and pain, possibly a fever and a sore throat.
Both colds and hay fever cause runny nose and sneezing. Both can also cause people to feel more tired and fatigued than usual.
But with a hay fever, you are also likely to experience itchy, red and watery eyes, Nevinson points out. In some cases, hay fever may also be associated with feeling breathless, especially if you also have asthma.
Coughs are generally more associated with colds than hay fever, as well as general aches and pain, possibly a fever and a sore throat
Do you need to treat them differently?Yes. There's no cure for the common cold, so here it's about symptom management, depending on how unwell you feel.
'For a cold, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids,' says Nevinson.
'You could also consider taking a cold symptom relief product – these often include medicine for pain relief to help with aches, alongside a decongestant to help ease a blocked nose.
'If the product contains paracetamol, make sure you don't take any other paracetamol-containing products at the same time.'
With hay fever, taking steps to help keep pollen at bay is also key.
'Consider putting a barrier balm, such as petroleum jelly, around the nostrils to trap pollen, and wear wraparound sunglasses to help keep pollen out of your eyes,' suggests Nevinson.
'There are a range of hay fever relief products available – from tablets to nasal sprays – and you can always speak to your pharmacist to find which products are suitable for you.'
If over-the-counter remedies are not helping, check in with your GP, as some people may need more support with managing allergies.
Everything you need to know about hay fever What exactly is hay fever?Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, a fine powder which comes from plants.
There is more pollen in the air in the spring and summer when plants are flowering.
The reaction usually happens when pollen comes into contact with someone's eyes, nose, mouth or throat.
Symptoms include coughing and sneezing; a runny or blocked nose; itchy, red or watery eyes; an itchy throat, nose, mouth or ears; headaches and tiredness.
The graphic explains how you get an allergic reaction, such as sneezing and coughing, from pollen
Is it getting worse every year?The severity of hay fever depends on the weather.
Wet and rainy conditions wash pollen away, reducing the number of people suffering from symptoms and their severity.
However, dry weather blows pollen into the air, where it can easily get into the eyes and nose.
The pollen season also seems to be getting longer, with a US study finding that it has been extended by 30 days between 1990 and 2018.
When are symptoms worst?Hay fever symptoms tend to be worst around 11am and 6pm, and this is because pollen is at nose level.
Pollen is on the ground at the start of the day and rises through as grass warms up.
During the course of the day, the pollen then goes very high up into the atmosphere.
As the temperature cools down during the course of the day, the pollen grains come down to earth again and at about 6pm they tend to be back at nose level.
FLiRT COVID Variants: Experts Advise Calm Approach
Amid rising concerns over the new Covid-19 variants, known as FLiRT, health experts reassured the publicthat there is no necessity for panic or additional caution. The FLiRT variants, which majorly include KP.1.1, and KP.2, are named based on the technical names for their mutations, one of which includes the letters "F" and "L", and another of which includes the letters "R" and "T". '#FLiRT represents a novel series of #Covid variants stemming from the lineage of the highly transmissible and immune system-evading #Omicron strain. #COVIDstrain ' According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KP.2 accounted for about one in four or 25 percent of new sequenced cases in the country in the last weeks of April."Overall, there is no need for panic or extra caution, nor is there a requirement for any specific medications. Improving immunity through a healthy lifestyle will be crucial," Dr Swapnil M. Khadake, HOD & Consultant Critical Care, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, told IANS. The symptoms of the new variants seem to be more or less similar to previous ones. They include a sore throat, runny nose, congestion, tiredness, fever (with or without chills), headache, muscle pain, and sometimes loss of taste or smell, the doctor said.
The rate of hospitalization is expected to be lower, with outpatient management being sufficient for most cases.
"Ward hospitalization may be necessary in some instances, but ICU admissions should be rare. Existing vaccinations should provide coverage against this variant to some extent. Precautions such as wearing masks in public places and practicing hand hygiene can significantly reduce transmission," Dr Khadake said.While the variants are likely to be "more transmissible and defy immunity as compared to previous strains", they are unlikely to produce severe symptoms in the form of pneumonia", Dr Dhiren Gupta, Senior Consultant, Dept of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS."Only patients who are having severe uncontrolled comorbidities or chronic lung diseases should be a little precautious about getting infected as it can worsen their existing symptoms," he added. As per a recent study, not peer-reviewed yet, "KP.2 has spread rapidly, and its variant frequency reached 20 percent in the UK as of early April 2024, suggesting a potential to become the predominant lineage globally".
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Dr Ravindra Gupta, Head of Department, Internal Medicine, C.K. Birla Hospital, Gurugram told IANS that the variant has no distinct symptoms from the Omicron variant. Further, "no serious illness has been reported so far from FLiRT, and it too early to say it could be deadly and could spread fast across the world. Not dangerous so far," he added.Source-IANS
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