If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, you want to be supportive — and in fact, your support can play a key role in their health. But giving that support can be challenging sometimes. Here are six tips that can help.
Sore throats are common, and while they can be uncomfortable, many times your symptoms will clear up on their own over time. Other times, a sore throat is a sign of an infection caused by a bacterium called streptococcus (or strep).
Without prompt treatment, strep throat infections can lead to serious health complications, causing infections in other areas, like the heart, lungs, or kidneys. Melita Tate, MD, and the team at Grassroots Healthcare offer targeted care for strep throat, including testing to help rule out other possible causes. If you have a sore throat, here’s how to tell if you need to schedule a strep test.
Streptococcus bacteria live in your nasal passageways and your throat because these are warm, moist environments that allow these bacteria to thrive. Because they’re in your airways, that means you can pass along those germs any time you sneeze or cough, projecting tiny, infected droplets into the air.
If someone else has strep, you can “catch” their infection by:
One strain of strep (strep A) can cause a skin condition called impetigo. In that instance, you can also catch a strep infection by touching sores caused by the infection.
Sore throat obviously is one of the common symptoms of strep throat, but it’s not the only one. Knowing what other symptoms are common with strep can help you decide if your sore throat is due to strep or to another cause, like a cold, allergy, or even smoking. Strep symptoms include:
If you have a cough, a runny nose, or itchy, red eyes, it’s more likely to be a virus or allergy that’s causing your sore throat. Strep throat also tends to cause a sore throat more quickly than either a cold or an allergy, and the pain of a strep infection also tends to be more severe.
Since sore throats can have different causes, it’s really important to have targeted treatment. That all starts with an office visit. During your visit, Dr. Tate will ask you about your symptoms and take your temperature. Then, she’ll use a bright light to look at the back of your throat. While most sore throats will cause redness due to irritation, infections can also cause those telltale white patches or streaks.
If she suspects strep throat or another type of infection, Dr. Tate will perform a strep test, or throat culture. In this test, she uses a long cotton-tipped swab to gently rub the back of your throat, collecting a sample that can be evaluated for signs of infection.
If you do have a strep infection, Dr. Tate will prescribe antibiotics to help your immune system fight off the germs. Since strep infections can cause more serious problems if not properly treated, it’s really important to take all your antibiotics — even if you start to feel better.
Strep tests are simple and quick, and they’re the simplest way to diagnose a strep infection quickly, so treatment can begin as soon as possible. If you have a sore throat, call our Tulsa, Oklahoma, practice to schedule an office visit or book an appointment online today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, you want to be supportive — and in fact, your support can play a key role in their health. But giving that support can be challenging sometimes. Here are six tips that can help.
Diabetes is a serious medical problem that can take a major toll on your health and your lifestyle. Interestingly, data shows that losing weight can actually help you manage your diabetes and even reduce your need for insulin. Here’s how.
It’s sweet, it’s delicious, and it’s almost irresistible. It’s sugar, and while a small amount can be OK for most people, too much sugar can wreak havoc on your health. Here’s what you should know about sugar’s dangerous effects on your body.
Hyperthyroidism can cause serious health problems if it’s not caught and treated early. Learning these five signs of overactive thyroid disease can help ensure you get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
Most people know obesity increases your risks for serious physical problems, but the emotional toll is less understood. If you or a loved one is dealing with obesity, here’s what you should know about the psychological toll it can take.
Anxiety isn’t just about feeling worried. It can affect you in many other ways, too. Learning to identify the subtler signs of anxiety can help you get treatment sooner, so you can lead a happier, healthier life.