In his monthly column, Dr. Kent Herbert answers your questions related to health care matters. Simply submit your question to deb@newfalconherald.com. It’s your chance to ask the doc.Question: I hear strep throat is going around in the schools. How do I know if I have strep throat?Answer: Strep throat is an infection of the throat caused by the bacteria streptococcus, which gives it its name. In adults, strep throat causes a sore throat, fever and swollen neck glands. Strep throat does not cause a cough or runny nose. Children with strep throat will have a sore throat but also may have an upset stomach, vomiting and a rash. They also may have a very fine, red rash that looks like sandpaper.Strep throat is common, especially during an outbreak, but most sore throats are not caused by strep. About 90 percent of sore throats are caused by viruses, allergies or irritation. If you have a runny nose, nasal congestion or a cough, you probably don’t have strep. In these cases, the best treatment is over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen, throat lozenges or salt-water gargles. Antibiotics will not help viral sore throats.If you do have strep throat, it is very important to see your doctor and complete a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics will reduce the bacteria in the throat and will help the sore throat get better quicker. Strep will typically not go away without treatment. Untreated strep throat can also lead to several complications such as kidney and heart disease, and antibiotics help to prevent these. Most doctors can do a test in their office called the rapid strep test or a throat swab. These strep tests are about 97 percent accurate and can be done in five to 10 minutes.Strep throat is highly contagious and can be spread to others for up to three days. As a general rule, children with strep throat should not go back to school or day care until their fever has gone away and they have taken an antibiotic for at least 24 hours. It is also important to avoid sharing drinks and utensils with anyone else, as this can spread strep. It is also recommended that you get a new toothbrush or clean yours in the dishwasher if you have strep to avoid reinfecting yourself.Besides antibiotics, there are several things you can do to make strep throat feel better. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with the pain, but aspirin should not be used in children. Gargling with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup or 8 ounces of warm water) can help, as can sucking on throat lozenges, hard candy or pieces of ice. Eating soft foods, drinking cool drinks or warm liquids or sucking on popsicles usually will soothe a sore throat as well, no matter the cause.With any sore throat, it is usually all right to give it a day or two with these measures before seeing a doctor. If your sore throat continues to get worse or if it is associated with swollen glands, fever or the lack of a cough or runny nose; you should be seen by a doctor for a test or treatment.Dr. Kent HerbertBoard-Certified Family PhysicianFalcon Family Medicine7641 McLaughlin RoadFalcon, CO 80831(719) 494-2006(719) 494-8448 faxwww.FalconFamilyMedicine.com
