Strep Throat is What’s Going Around this week. Because it’s caused by bacteria, confirmed cases of Strep are most often treated with prescription antibiotics. Besides leading to serious complications, if left untreated, a person with Strep can remain contagious for upwards of three weeks – even if symptoms no longer remain.
Centra Care physicians are seeing the greatest increases in Strep at the following centers:
- Azalea Park & Longwood - up 300%
- Lee Road – up 250%
- Conway & Dr. Phillips – up 200%
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Most often, children between the ages of 5 and 15 experience Strep throat, although anyone can develop the condition. The infection is easily spread by person-to-person contact with nasal secretions or saliva. It takes 2 – 5 days after being exposed to the bacteria that causes Strep to experience symptoms.
Symptoms of Strep usually begin suddenly. The sore throat can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms including:
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Fever that begins suddenly
Red throat, sometimes with white patches
General discomfort or ill feeling
Loss of appetite
Tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
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- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Chills
- Headache
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So how do you know if your sore throat warrants a trip to the doctor? According to the Centers for Disease Control, you should seek medical care if you or your child has:
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A sore throat that lasts longer than 1 week
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Excessive drooling (young children)
Temperature higher than 100.4° F
Pus on the back of the throat
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- Rash
- Hoarseness for more than 2 weeks
- Blood in saliva or phlegm
- Symptoms of dehydration
- Recurring sore throats
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Only a physician can diagnose Strep by examining you and conducting tests. Treatment with antibiotics not only clears the infection, but also helps to reduce complications such as rheumatic fever.
If you need to see a doctor, Centra Care’s No Wait, Online Reservations allows you to secure a time at any of our locations that fits with your schedule. Now if you are sick or injured, you can schedule to see a doctor during your lunch break, after work, on the
weekend, or whenever is convenient for you. For more information visit: www.CentraCare.org
Sincerely,
Florida Hospital Centra Care
407-200-CARE (2273)
To learn more about "What's Going Around" in our community you can listen to the Centra Care Senior Medical Director each Tuesday morning between 8am and 8:30am on 88.3FM radio - Z88.3