Strep throat symptoms in teens. Strep Throat in Teens: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention
What are the common symptoms of strep throat in teenagers. How is strep throat diagnosed and treated in adolescents. What complications can arise from untreated strep throat in teens. How can teens prevent getting strep throat.
Understanding Strep Throat: A Common Bacterial Infection
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus. This condition primarily affects the throat and tonsils, causing inflammation and discomfort. While it can occur at any age, strep throat is particularly common among children and teenagers.
Is strep throat a serious condition? While most cases of strep throat are not severe, untreated infections can lead to complications. These may include kidney inflammation, rheumatic fever, and in rare cases, a condition called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections).
Recognizing Strep Throat Symptoms in Teenagers
Identifying strep throat in teens can be challenging, as symptoms may vary from person to person. However, certain signs are more indicative of a streptococcal infection:
- Sudden onset of throat pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swollen, red tonsils (sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus)
- Tiny red spots on the soft or hard palate
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea or vomiting (more common in younger children)
- Rash (in some cases)
How quickly do strep throat symptoms appear in teens? Symptoms typically develop within 2-5 days after exposure to the bacteria. The sudden onset of throat pain is often one of the first signs that distinguish strep throat from viral infections.
Diagnosing Strep Throat in Adolescents
Accurate diagnosis of strep throat is crucial for proper treatment. Healthcare providers typically use the following methods to confirm a strep throat infection:
- Rapid antigen test: This quick swab test can detect strep bacteria in minutes.
- Throat culture: If the rapid test is negative but strep is still suspected, a throat culture may be performed. Results take 1-2 days but are more accurate.
- Physical examination: A doctor will check for signs of inflammation and swollen lymph nodes.
Can strep throat be diagnosed without a test? While certain symptoms strongly suggest strep throat, a definitive diagnosis requires a laboratory test. This is because many symptoms of strep throat can also be caused by viral infections or other conditions.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Parents and teens should be aware of when to consult a healthcare provider. Seek medical attention if you or your teen experiences:
- A sore throat lasting more than 48 hours
- A sore throat accompanied by a fever
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- A sore throat with a rash
- No improvement after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment (if strep has been diagnosed)
Treatment Options for Strep Throat in Teenagers
Effective treatment of strep throat is essential to prevent complications and reduce the risk of spreading the infection. The primary treatment for strep throat is antibiotics, typically penicillin or amoxicillin. For those allergic to penicillin, alternative antibiotics are available.
How long does it take for antibiotics to work on strep throat? Most people start feeling better within 24-48 hours of beginning antibiotic treatment. However, it’s crucial to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if symptoms improve.
Supportive Care for Strep Throat
In addition to antibiotics, several supportive measures can help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery:
- Rest: Adequate sleep and relaxation can boost the immune system.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids helps soothe the throat and prevents dehydration.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and fever.
- Saltwater gargles: Gargling with warm salt water can provide temporary relief from throat pain.
- Throat lozenges: Sugar-free lozenges can help stimulate saliva production and lubricate the throat.
Preventing the Spread of Strep Throat
Strep throat is highly contagious, especially among teenagers who often interact closely with peers. Understanding how the infection spreads is crucial for prevention.
How does strep throat spread among teens? Strep bacteria typically spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through close contact or by sharing food, drinks, or personal items.
Effective Prevention Strategies
To reduce the risk of contracting or spreading strep throat, teens should adopt the following practices:
- Practice good hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid sharing personal items: Don’t share drinks, food, or utensils with others.
- Cover mouth and nose: Use a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home when sick: Teens with strep throat should stay home until they’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and no longer have a fever.
- Replace toothbrushes: After starting antibiotics, use a new toothbrush to prevent reinfection.
Complications of Untreated Strep Throat in Teenagers
While strep throat often resolves without serious issues, untreated infections can lead to complications. These may include:
- Rheumatic fever: An inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, and nervous system.
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys.
- Scarlet fever: A streptococcal infection characterized by a distinctive rash.
- Peritonsillar abscess: A collection of pus behind the tonsils.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses.
- Mastoiditis: Infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear.
How common are complications from strep throat in teens? Serious complications are relatively rare, especially with prompt and appropriate treatment. However, the risk increases if strep throat is left untreated or if antibiotic treatment is not completed as prescribed.
The Impact of Strep Throat on Teenage Life
Strep throat can significantly disrupt a teenager’s daily routine. The illness may lead to:
- Missed school days
- Inability to participate in sports or extracurricular activities
- Social isolation during the contagious period
- Difficulty concentrating due to symptoms
- Temporary changes in diet due to throat pain
How long should a teen stay home with strep throat? Typically, teens should stay home until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and no longer have a fever. This helps prevent the spread of the infection to others.
Supporting Teens During Recovery
Parents and caregivers can support teenagers recovering from strep throat by:
- Ensuring they get plenty of rest
- Providing soft, easy-to-swallow foods
- Encouraging fluid intake to prevent dehydration
- Helping them keep up with schoolwork if they feel well enough
- Monitoring their symptoms and adhering to the prescribed treatment plan
Differentiating Strep Throat from Other Throat Infections
Distinguishing strep throat from other throat infections can be challenging, as many symptoms overlap. However, certain characteristics can help differentiate strep throat:
Symptom | Strep Throat | Viral Sore Throat |
---|---|---|
Onset | Sudden | Gradual |
Fever | Common, often high | Less common, usually low-grade |
Cough | Rare | Common |
Runny nose | Rare | Common |
Swollen lymph nodes | Common | Less common |
White patches on tonsils | Common | Less common |
Can a teen have strep throat without a fever? While fever is a common symptom of strep throat, it’s possible to have the infection without an elevated temperature. This is why a proper medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
The Role of Nutrition in Recovery and Prevention
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in both recovering from strep throat and preventing future infections. A well-balanced diet can support the immune system and help the body fight off bacterial infections more effectively.
Foods to Eat During Strep Throat Recovery
When recovering from strep throat, teens should focus on consuming:
- Warm broths and soups: These provide hydration and are easy to swallow.
- Soft fruits: Bananas, melons, and cooked fruits offer nutrients without irritating the throat.
- Yogurt and smoothies: Cold, smooth foods can soothe the throat while providing essential nutrients.
- Honey: Known for its antibacterial properties, honey can help soothe the throat.
- Herbal teas: Chamomile or ginger tea can provide comfort and hydration.
Immune-Boosting Foods for Prevention
To help prevent future infections, teens should incorporate these immune-boosting foods into their regular diet:
- Citrus fruits: Rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function.
- Leafy greens: Provide vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants.
- Garlic and onions: Contain compounds that may enhance immune response.
- Yogurt and kefir: Probiotics in these foods support gut health and overall immunity.
- Nuts and seeds: Provide zinc and vitamin E, important for immune health.
How can diet help prevent strep throat in teenagers? A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can strengthen the immune system, making it more resilient against infections like strep throat. However, diet alone cannot guarantee prevention of strep throat.
The Psychological Impact of Recurrent Strep Throat in Teens
For some teenagers, recurrent strep throat infections can have psychological effects beyond the physical symptoms. These may include:
- Anxiety about future infections
- Frustration with missed activities or social events
- Stress related to academic performance if school is frequently missed
- Concerns about long-term health implications
How can parents support teens dealing with recurrent strep throat? Open communication, empathy, and working closely with healthcare providers are key. Parents should:
- Validate their teen’s feelings and concerns
- Help maintain connections with friends during recovery periods
- Work with schools to manage academic responsibilities
- Explore potential underlying causes with healthcare providers
- Consider counseling if the emotional impact is significant
Coping Strategies for Teens
Teenagers dealing with recurrent strep throat can benefit from developing coping strategies such as:
- Practicing stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing or meditation
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle to support overall immune function
- Keeping a symptom journal to identify potential triggers or patterns
- Staying connected with friends through technology during recovery periods
- Focusing on activities they can do while recovering, like reading or creative projects
Emerging Research and Future Directions in Strep Throat Treatment
As medical science advances, new approaches to treating and preventing strep throat are being explored. Some areas of ongoing research include:
- Vaccine development: Efforts are underway to create a vaccine against group A streptococcus.
- Alternative treatments: Studies are examining the potential of probiotics and bacteriophage therapy.
- Rapid diagnostic improvements: Research aims to develop even faster and more accurate diagnostic tools.
- Antibiotic resistance: Scientists are monitoring and addressing the potential for antibiotic-resistant strains of strep bacteria.
What new treatments for strep throat are on the horizon? While traditional antibiotics remain the primary treatment, researchers are exploring targeted therapies that could more effectively eliminate the bacteria without disrupting the body’s natural microbiome. However, these treatments are still in early stages of development.
The Promise of Personalized Medicine
Advances in genetic research may lead to more personalized approaches to treating strep throat. This could involve:
- Identifying genetic factors that make some individuals more susceptible to strep infections
- Tailoring antibiotic treatments based on an individual’s genetic profile
- Developing targeted therapies that address specific strains of strep bacteria
As research progresses, teenagers and their families can look forward to potentially more effective and personalized approaches to managing and preventing strep throat infections.
Strep throat – Symptoms & causes
Overview
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages. If you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat, see your doctor for prompt testing and treatment.
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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
- Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
- Painful swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
- Body aches
Strep throat infection
Strep throat usually causes throat pain and difficulty swallowing. This photo of strep throat shows inflammation and red spots, caused by the infection.
It’s possible for you or your child to have many of these signs and symptoms but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other illness. That’s why your doctor generally tests specifically for strep throat.
It’s also possible for you to be exposed to a person who carries strep but shows no symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms:
- A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands
- A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours
- A fever
- A sore throat accompanied by a rash
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- If strep has been diagnosed, a lack of improvement after taking antibiotics for 48 hours
Causes
Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Risk factors
Several factors can increase your risk of strep throat infection:
- Young age. Strep throat occurs most commonly in children.
- Time of year. Although strep throat can occur anytime, it tends to circulate in winter and early spring. Strep bacteria flourish wherever groups of people are in close contact.
Complications
Strep throat can lead to serious complications. Antibiotic treatment reduces the risk.
Spread of infection
Strep bacteria may spread, causing infection in:
- Tonsils
- Sinuses
- Skin
- Blood
- Middle ear
Inflammatory reactions
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
- Scarlet fever, a streptococcal infection characterized by a prominent rash
- Inflammation of the kidney (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis)
- Rheumatic fever, a serious inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin
- Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the joints
A possible relationship has been suggested between strep infection and a rare condition called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group A streptococci (PANDAS). Children with this condition experience worsened symptoms of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorders, with strep. This relationship currently remains unproved and controversial.
Prevention
To prevent strep infection:
- Wash your hands. Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections. That’s why it’s important to wash your own hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Teach your children how to wash their hands properly using soap and water or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no soap and water available.
- Cover your mouth. Teach your children to cover their mouths with an elbow or tissue when they cough or sneeze.
- Don’t share personal items. Don’t share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Wash dishes in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.
Strep throat – Symptoms & causes
Overview
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages. If you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat, see your doctor for prompt testing and treatment.
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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
- Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
- Painful swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
- Body aches
Strep throat infection
Strep throat usually causes throat pain and difficulty swallowing. This photo of strep throat shows inflammation and red spots, caused by the infection.
It’s possible for you or your child to have many of these signs and symptoms but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other illness. That’s why your doctor generally tests specifically for strep throat.
It’s also possible for you to be exposed to a person who carries strep but shows no symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms:
- A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands
- A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours
- A fever
- A sore throat accompanied by a rash
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- If strep has been diagnosed, a lack of improvement after taking antibiotics for 48 hours
Causes
Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Risk factors
Several factors can increase your risk of strep throat infection:
- Young age. Strep throat occurs most commonly in children.
- Time of year. Although strep throat can occur anytime, it tends to circulate in winter and early spring. Strep bacteria flourish wherever groups of people are in close contact.
Complications
Strep throat can lead to serious complications. Antibiotic treatment reduces the risk.
Spread of infection
Strep bacteria may spread, causing infection in:
- Tonsils
- Sinuses
- Skin
- Blood
- Middle ear
Inflammatory reactions
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
- Scarlet fever, a streptococcal infection characterized by a prominent rash
- Inflammation of the kidney (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis)
- Rheumatic fever, a serious inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin
- Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the joints
A possible relationship has been suggested between strep infection and a rare condition called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group A streptococci (PANDAS). Children with this condition experience worsened symptoms of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorders, with strep. This relationship currently remains unproved and controversial.
Prevention
To prevent strep infection:
- Wash your hands. Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections. That’s why it’s important to wash your own hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Teach your children how to wash their hands properly using soap and water or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no soap and water available.
- Cover your mouth. Teach your children to cover their mouths with an elbow or tissue when they cough or sneeze.
- Don’t share personal items. Don’t share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Wash dishes in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.
Angina in a child – types, symptoms, treatment and prevention
Angina in a child: general information
In the people, it is customary to call angina any acute pain in the throat. But there is no such concept in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). An infection that causes acute pain in the throat is called “acute tonsillitis” in the ICD.
In the Eleventh Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis) is coded as CA03.
Tonsillitis – inflammation of the tonsils (from Latin tonsillae – “tonsils”), which occurs in response to a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
An important part of the immune system is located in the nasopharynx – Pirogov-Waldeyer’s lymphopharyngeal ring. It consists of 6 small glands (tonsils) in which immune cells live.
Tonsils in the nasopharynx serve as protection against the penetration of harmful microbes into the body
The lymphopharyngeal ring, as it were, wraps around the throat from the inside and does not let dangerous microbes further into the body.
It works most actively in children from 2 to 15 years old, because of this, they are more often diagnosed with tonsillitis. By adulthood, part of the tonsils “turns off”, and the body develops new, more advanced ways to fight infections without using the tonsils. Bone marrow and lymph nodes in other parts of the body help adults fight germs.
Most often, the inflammatory process in angina develops in the palatine tonsils – tonsils. The name comes from the Latin glandula – “small acorn”.
Along with the palatine tonsils, inflammation can develop in the pharyngeal and lingual tonsils.
Varieties of angina in children
Angina, or tonsillitis, in children is classified according to several parameters.
Duration:
- acute tonsillitis. The inflammation lasts from 3 days to 2 weeks and is accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature and sore throat;
- recurrent tonsillitis. Inflammation occurs more than 5 times a year, including immediately after recovery;
- chronic tonsillitis. The inflammation lasts longer than 2 weeks.
In this case, the symptoms may be less pronounced than in the acute form of the disease.
By location of inflammation:
- catarrhal tonsillitis – inflammation develops in the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx;
- lacunar tonsillitis – in lacunae (depressions) of the tonsils;
- follicular tonsillitis – in the follicles (clusters of lymphoid tissue) of the tonsils.
By the presence of complications:
- uncomplicated tonsillitis is the most common form of the disease, which resolves in an average of 2 weeks;
- complicated tonsillitis – a purulent process can join the inflammation, the tonsils grow and can block the airways.
Pathogens of sore throat in a child
Most cases of acute tonsillitis are caused by viruses. In children under 5 years old, it is most often adenovirus, Coxsackie, measles, scarlet fever viruses, in children over 5 years old and adolescents – respiratory syncytial virus, influenza viruses.
Common viruses that cause sore throats in children:
- adenovirus,
- Coxsackie virus,
- measles virus,
- scarlet fever virus,
- respiratory syncytial virus,
- influenza viruses,
- cytomegalovirus (CMV),
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
As a rule, viral sore throats are relatively safe, because the immune system copes with their pathogens on its own.
Another cause of acute tonsillitis in children is bacteria: group A streptococci, less often staphylococci. Bacterial tonsillitis does not go away on its own and requires mandatory antibacterial treatment.
Common bacteria that cause sore throats in children:
- streptococci,
- Staphylococcus aureus,
- whooping cough.
As a rule, in children from 5 to 15 years, acute tonsillitis is of bacterial origin. In young children – viral.
The main difference between viral and bacterial tonsillitis is the absence of purulent plaque on the tonsils
Ways of transmission of angina in children
Angina itself is not contagious – the danger is the viral and bacterial infections that cause it.
Viruses and bacteria that can lead to acute tonsillitis are found in tiny droplets of saliva or nasal mucus that are spread from an infected person when they cough, sneeze, or talk.
Most often, outbreaks of viral and bacterial tonsillitis are detected in kindergartens, schools, sections
You can get infected less often if you touch surfaces on which virus particles have remained (for example, door handles, remote controls), and then touch your face or eyes with unwashed hands.
Moreover, both bacterial and viral tonsillitis can be contagious 2–3 days before the first symptoms appear.
Development of angina in children
Sore throat causative agents penetrate the mucous membrane of the nose or mouth with inhaled air, less often by household contact.
If the immune system fails to fight the infection, then viruses and bacteria can remain on the tonsils and lead to acute inflammation – tonsillitis.
On average, the incubation period for viral and bacterial infections lasts from 10 to 20 days, during which time the child does not feel any symptoms.
With a decrease in immune defense, infectious agents can spread further: with the blood flow, they are transferred to internal organs, bones, joints and provoke complications.
Symptoms of sore throat in children
Symptoms of angina in children are usually pronounced.
Symptoms of acute tonsillitis in a child:
- sore throat,
- red and swollen tonsils,
- pain when swallowing,
- white or yellowish coating on tonsils,
- painful and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck,
- high temperature,
- headache.
With tonsillitis, purulent plugs may appear on the tonsils, which can be seen if the child opens his mouth wide
It is difficult for young children to describe how they feel, but there are signs by which parents may suspect acute tonsillitis in a child.
Signs of acute tonsillitis in children:
- increased salivation,
- refusal to eat,
- tearfulness.
If the disease becomes chronic, then the symptoms subside temporarily.
Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in a child:
- Enlarged tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck,
- purulent plugs in the tonsils,
- bad breath.
Complications of tonsillitis in children
In most cases, viral tonsillitis in children resolves on its own. The prognosis is favorable. But a severe bacterial infection or frequent sore throats can lead to complications.
Complications of acute tonsillitis in children:
- inflammation of the middle ear – otitis media;
- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses – rhinosinusitis;
- Apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for a short time during sleep. With angina, it is associated with chronic inflammation of the tonsils;
- paratonsillar abscess is an acute inflammatory process that forms in the tissues surrounding the palatine tonsils and leads to the formation of a purulent cavity.
Diagnosis of angina in children
If the general condition of the child worsens – the temperature rises, he refuses to eat and drink, complains of a sore throat – you should call the pediatrician on duty or the ambulance team as soon as possible.
Call an ambulance immediately if your child has:
- temperature above 39°C,
- difficulty swallowing,
- breathing problems,
- confusion,
- vomiting.
Usually a pediatrician or general practitioner can easily diagnose acute tonsillitis on examination. Laboratory tests may be required to confirm the diagnosis.
Inspection
Examination for acute tonsillitis begins with an assessment of the functions of breathing and swallowing. The doctor examines the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, teeth, feels the lymph nodes on the neck.
The next step is the examination of the pharynx. With angina, the child’s throat is red, a whitish purulent coating is visible on the tonsils, and the cervical lymph nodes are enlarged and hurt when pressed.
To assess the condition of the mucous membrane of the throat, the doctor performs a pharyngoscopy – an examination of the pharyngeal cavity using an instrument similar to a magnifying glass with a flashlight
Laboratory diagnostics
To clarify the diagnosis, if acute tonsillitis is suspected, the child is prescribed laboratory blood tests.
Clinical blood test allows you to assess the general state of health and the severity of the inflammatory process.
Clinical blood test with leukocyte formula and ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in case of pathological changes) (venous blood)
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In addition, the severity of inflammation is also indicated by early markers of the inflammatory process: C-reactive protein and procalcitonin.
C-reactive protein
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Procalcitonin
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For retrospective diagnosis of acute streptococcal angina, if infection is suspected to be chronic, and to assess the risk of complications, the doctor may prescribe blood tests for antistreptolysin-O and rheumatoid factor.
Antistreptolysin-O (ASLO)
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If a bacterial nature of the disease is suspected, a swab from the pharynx is sown for microflora and the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibacterial drugs and bacteriophages is determined.
Sowing from the throat for microflora with determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibacterial drugs and bacteriophages
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Throat culture for pyogenic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) with determination of pathogen sensitivity to antibacterial drugs and bacteriophages
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Treatment of angina in children
Children with acute tonsillitis are treated by a pediatrician or an otorhinolaryngologist.
Medical treatment
The choice of tactics for treating tonsillitis in a child will depend on the cause of the disease.
virus infection usually clears up on its own in 7 to 10 days.
To relieve the symptoms of a viral sore throat, your doctor may recommend:
- observe bed rest;
- drink plenty of fluids to soothe your throat;
- suck on local anesthetic lozenges or lozenges to relieve a sore throat;
- drink cool drinks, lick popsicles, eat ice cream.
Ice cream and cold drinks will not cure a sore throat, but may relieve the pain. Cold causes local vasoconstriction. As a result, swelling and pain are reduced.
Bacterial infection is treated with a course of antibiotics. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotic therapy prescribed by your doctor to avoid the development of antibiotic resistance (microorganism resistance to the drug). In addition, if treatment is completed earlier, the bacterium can spread throughout the body and lead to complications and chronic infection, which will be more difficult to stop (strong antibiotics in high doses may be required). As a rule, the course of treatment is 10-14 days.
Surgical treatment
If medical treatment does not help and the child becomes worse or has frequent sore throats (more than 5 times a year), the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tonsils – tonsillectomy.
Scientists and doctors have studied the health of more than 1 million people who had their tonsils, adenoids, or both removed in childhood. In adulthood, such people had a 3-fold increase in the risk of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. But, if the operation is nevertheless prescribed by a doctor, this means that the benefits of tonsillectomy outweigh the potential risk of developing infections in the future.
Tonsils cannot be removed just like that, strict indications are needed for the operation.
Without tonsils, the child’s immune system is deprived of an important protective link.
Tonsillectomy is performed under general anesthesia, the operation lasts an average of 35-40 minutes. The rehabilitation period is not required. As a rule, the child is sent home within a few hours after the operation.
After 7-10 days, the mucous membrane of the pharynx is completely restored.
Prognosis of angina in children
Angina in children, as a rule, is more severe than in adults: with high fever, severe sore throat, bright purulent plaque on the tonsils.
The average duration of treatment for uncomplicated bacterial tonsillitis in a child is no more than 2 weeks. Viral tonsillitis resolves on its own in an average of 7-14 days. The prognosis in both cases is favorable.
Prevention of angina in children
There is no specific prevention of angina in children. The main thing is to maintain general health: eat a varied and balanced diet, walk daily in the fresh air, keep a sleep schedule, wash your hands regularly (especially after returning from the street and from crowded places).
Follicular angina – symptoms, signs, causes and treatment in adults in the “SM-Clinic”
This disease is treated by an Otolaryngologist (ENT)
- What is it?
- Classification
- Symptoms of follicular sore throat
- Causes of follicular angina
- Diagnostics
- Expert opinion
- Treatment
- Prevention of follicular sore throat
- Rehabilitation
- FAQ
- Sources
Classification
Follicular angina may be acute or chronic. In addition, this form is included in the classical classification of angina, which divides the pathology into catarrhal, follicular, lacunar, fibrinous, herpetic, phlegmonous, gangrenous and mixed.
Symptoms of follicular angina
Follicular angina is characterized by a vivid clinical picture, its signs can be:
- intense sore throat – sometimes it hurts not only to speak, but even swallow and breathe; pain may radiate to the ear, temple;
- elevated to febrile values (38-39°C) body temperature, accompanied by chills;
- headache;
- general weakness, fatigue, weakness;
- muscle pain, aching joints and other symptoms of intoxication.
Lymph nodes are often enlarged to such a size that the patient feels them, it hurts him to turn his head to the side, painful lumps are felt on the neck. There is an unpleasant taste and smell in the mouth.
Causes of follicular tonsillitis
Follicular tonsillitis is an infectious disease, and the most common way of its transmission is airborne. In the vast majority of cases, the causative agent is β-hemolytic streptococcus, rarely other microorganisms (staphylococci, pneumococci, other types of streptococci, viruses).
There are factors that increase the risk of developing tonsillitis:
- severe hypothermia;
- low general immunity;
- autoimmune diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- severe stress;
- foci of chronic infection in adjacent organs (paranasal sinuses, teeth).
Under the influence of these factors, the risk of developing angina follicularis in adults and children increases significantly.
Get advice
If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.
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Diagnosis
At the initial stage of the consultation, the doctor will talk with the patient and collect complaints and anamnesis (history) of the disease. Then the doctor will perform a pharyngoscopy – examine the oral cavity and pharynx, assessing the condition, including the tonsils. During the examination, the otolaryngologist uses equipment with lighting, which gives him the opportunity to detect even the slightest signs of ill health of the organs being examined.
On examination, the ENT will see that the tonsils are swollen, enlarged, bright red in color, and their entire surface is covered with small yellowish-greenish vesicles – these are festering follicles.
Conducting an objective examination, the doctor will identify enlarged submandibular, anterior cervical lymph nodes.
If follicular tonsillitis is suspected, the patient will undergo a general blood test, as well as a bacteriological culture of a swab from the tonsils. This will help identify a specific pathogen, find out the degree of its sensitivity to various antibiotics and allow the doctor to decide on the treatment.
Expert opinion
I would like to draw the reader’s attention to the peculiarities of the course of follicular tonsillitis in children. Their sore throat is not the first symptom, but occurs only on the second or third day of the disease. And acute tonsillitis debuts suddenly, with pronounced symptoms of general intoxication, often with damage to the meninges (this is evidenced by nausea, vomiting, fainting, convulsions in a child). The patient refuses food, notes the presence of pain in the abdomen, bloating, stool disorders. Such a severe course of the pathological process is an indication for the treatment of a child in an infectious diseases hospital. Parents should not be afraid of this and refuse hospitalization, because the main task is to help the child, alleviate his condition, get rid of the disease.
Letkin Alexander Pavlovich
Otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category
Treatment
Treatment of follicular tonsillitis in adults and children is based on rational antibiotic therapy. The patient is prescribed a broad-spectrum antibacterial drug, covering the maximum possible number of potential pathogens. An individual integrated approach of an otolaryngologist in the treatment of angina allows the patient to quickly get rid of the symptoms of intoxication and pain.
The patient may also be prescribed:
- antihistamines;
- oral antiseptics;
- vitamins;
- antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- immunomodulators.
In case of severe intoxication, infusions of water-salt solutions (“droppers”) are carried out – detoxification therapy.
The role of local therapies in the treatment of angina follicularis cannot be underestimated. These include:
- frequent rinsing with antiseptic solutions;
- tonsil irrigation;
- inhalation;
- washing the tonsils with the removal of pus;
- physiotherapy treatment (UHF, electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, etc.).
Prevention of follicular angina
Timely sanitation of all sources of chronic infection (sinuses, upper respiratory tract, teeth) will help reduce the risk of developing follicular angina and its complications. And you should also carry out general strengthening activities:
- hardening;
- compliance with the regime of work and rest, good sleep;
- active lifestyle playing sports;
- complete (rational, balanced) nutrition;
- smoking cessation;
- stress prevention.
Rehabilitation
With timely and adequate treatment, follicular tonsillitis regresses in 10-14 days – the patient recovers. Without treatment, it transforms into chronic tonsillitis or leads to the development of systemic complications (myocarditis, endocarditis, arthritis, nephritis, and others) that require regular monitoring by a doctor and medication.
Questions and Answers
The diagnosis of “follicular tonsillitis” can be made after examination by any competent therapist, family doctor or pediatrician. Clarification of the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is the task of the otolaryngologist.
Antibiotics form the basis of treatment. Their doctor prescribes taking into account the characteristics of the clinical picture of your case of the disease. Self-medication is unacceptable and can be dangerous.
No, the treatment of this disease is conservative. Surgery may be indicated to the patient with complications of tonsillitis (for example, if a pharyngeal abscess develops).
Vladimir Palchun: Otorhinolaryngology. National leadership. Publisher: GEOTAR-Media 2020, 1060 p.
Kunelskaya NL, Turovsky AB, Kudryavtseva Yu. S. Angina: diagnosis and treatment // Medical business. 2010. №3. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/anginy-diagnostika-i-lechenie (Date of access: 08/02/2022).
Clinical guidelines (treatment protocol) for the provision of medical care to children with tonsillitis (acute streptococcal tonsillitis). FGBU NIIDI FMBA of Russia, 2015. 29With.
Bacterial diseases: textbook / Ed. N. D. Yushchuk. M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2014. 976 p.
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