Strep Throat Prevention

Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat region, in which the causal strain is streptococcus, hence the name. As the site of infection is pharynx, it is medically referred to as streptococcal pharyngitis. Although this disease is seldom serious, the symptoms weaken patients, and disturb normal day-to-day activities. Manifested symptoms are severe throat pain, throat swelling, fever, body ache, nausea and swollen lymph nodes. Also, if a person is infected by strep bacteria, it is quite likely that other family members contact the infection.

Strep Throat Transmission

Streptococcal pharyngitis is transmittable from an infected person to another by various routes. A person, after showing infection signs, remains contagious for 5 days or more. And prevention from this bacterial infection is all about containing pathogens, and avoiding their spread from an infected patient to another. So, let's first take a look at the transmission routes of bacterial throat infection.

The group A streptococcus bacteria that causes soreness in the throat are present in a patient's saliva, mucus secretions, nasal discharge and respiratory droplets. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, saliva droplets and mucus that contain pathogenic bacteria are released in the air. These may come in contact with the mucous membrane of another healthy person (say nose, eyes, throat, etc.), and the bacteria make their way inside body. Another route is eating contaminated foods, contacting things or surfaces, which have infected fluids on them.

How to Prevent Strep Throat?

Once a healthy person contacts the strep bacteria, he/she will not experience symptoms instantly. But, the pathogenic bacteria will take their own time for dividing and causing infection signs. This period usually lasts for 2-4 days, and is known as the incubation period for strep throat. After this, strep throat symptoms appear, which may last for 3-5 days. Of course, this throat discomfort can be treated with a regular course of prescription antibiotics. However, strep infection is still contagious after starting antibiotics.

A patient, after taking antibiotic treatment for strep throat, requires 24 hours to render the disease as non contagious. This is applicable only when the right medicine is taken in correct dosage. Thus, instead of dealing with the painful symptoms and undergoing antibacterial therapy, it is best to prevent the infection from occurring. As you already know how strep throat is transmitted from an infected person to another, you can adopt easy ways for strep throat prevention.

Prevention of strep throat is focused on avoiding close contact with a person infected with strep bacteria. In case a family member or friend is infected with strep bacteria and is having strep throat symptoms, do not make the mistake of getting close to him/her. The logic is to avoid exposure to infected droplets expelled by the patient at the time of coughing and sneezing. If you have direct skin contact with the patient, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water as soon as possible.

In case you happen to be around unknown persons having strep throat infection, then also follow personal cleanliness and frequent washing of hands to prevent streptococcal pharyngitis. Never touch nose, eyes or mouth region without cleaning hands properly. These are the common sites where strep bacteria get access to and enter the body for causing infections. Do not touch and share personal belongings of the patient, like toothbrush, towels, clothing, utensils, which may contain infected fluids. Also, ask the patient to cover his/her mouth while sneezing or coughing to avoid spreading of infection.

To a large extent, strep throat prevention is about isolating the infected patient from others, and to avoid sharing personal items of the patient. But, preventing yourself from streptococcal pharyngitis requires staying fit and a strong immune system. After all, the body's natural defense mechanism is responsible for counteracting the actions of strep bacteria and other invading pathogens. So, besides adopting the above measures, eating healthy food and indulging in physical activities are equally important to prevent strep infection.