Strep Throat
Alternate Names : Streptococcal Pharyngitis
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Strep throat can be spread from person to person. Prompt diagnosis and
treatment is the best way to prevent the disease and its complications. Anyone
with strep throat should take antibiotics for at least 24 hours before
returning to work, school, or day care. In addition, hands should be washed thoroughly and
soiled tissues should be discarded promptly.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
In most cases, there are no long-term effects from strep throat. Complications
may occur if a strep infection is not treated, including the following:
ear infections, such as acute otitis
media
tonsillitis, with abscesses or
damage to the tonsils
scarlet fever, a rash associated
with strep throat
rheumatic fever, an inflammation
of the joints and the heart that can cause heart damage
poststreptococcal
glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney that can lead to
kidney damage
rarely, death
What are the risks to others?
Anyone with an untreated strep throat can spread it to others.
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