Strep Thoat makes the rounds

Yahoo News recently reported that strep throat (scarlet fever) has been making the rounds, especially in China where 21,000 cases have occurred this year.   The Chinese version of strep throat has alarmed medical experts because they believe the germ has mutated and has become more resistant to antibiotics and more difficult to treat.  However, Strep throat can happen anywhere and should not be ignored because it can damage a person’s heart (rheumatic fever), kidneys, and cause arthritis, and/or toxic shock. 

Strep throat is caused by the bacteria group A Streptococcus and has the following symptoms:  a very painful, sore throat (may be reddened and bumpy or have a white coating), a sunburn-like rash over the body with small red bumps, a fever of 101 or higher, swollen glands and sometimes vomiting and belly pain.  The Strep bacteria also causes toxins which increase the person’s sickness and can be life threatening. 

If caught early, treatment of strep throat involves penicillin type antibiotics, rest and fluids.  If however, treatment is not begun in a timely manner, the toxins may begin attacking the body and causing damage to heart, kidneys, etc.  That person probably needs hospitalization and major supportive treatment. 

How can you protect yourself and your family from strep throat/scarlet fever?  The Center for Disease Controls recommends “washing your hands frequently and avoiding sharing eating utensils, linens, towels and other personal items.  It is particularly crucial for anyone with a sore throat to wash his hands frequently in warm water to reduce the risk of spreading the bacteria.  The germs are most easily transmitted in close quarters, putting family members at risk if there is an infected person in the household.  There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever or strep throat.”  More information can be found at Yahoo Health article, “Scarlet Fever Outbreak:  should we worry?”  at http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/scarlet-fever-outbreak-should-we-worry   WebMD information about preventing strep throat can be found at  http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/understanding-strep-throat-prevention