Bacterial Diseases

Bacterial Diseases Streptococcal bacteria

Causes of Streptococcal bacteria • Causes a variety of infections in the body, including pneumonia, meningitis, ear infections, and strep throat. • Strep throat is a contagious illness that is spread from person-to-person. It is usually transmitted by close contact with the saliva or nasal secretions from an infected individual.For this reason, it is frequently seen in situations where individuals are in close proximity to each other, as in schools, college campuses, military barracks, day care centers, and family households. It can travel through food as well.

More Causes • Strep throat is caused by infection with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. The streptococcal infection invades the pharyngeal tissue and causes a localized inflammatory reaction. These bacterial organisms are often found in the throat or on the skin, and are responsible for other illnesses as well, such as impetigo (a skin infection). Some individuals may carry (GAS) in the throat or on the skin and not exhibit any signs or symptoms of disease.

Symptoms and Effects • In those individuals who develop strep throat, the symptoms usually begin between 1 to 4 days after initially acquiring the infection. The sore throat associated with strep throat is usually described as starting rather suddenly, and the tonsils and the back of the throat may appear red and swollen. Swallowing is usually painful, and some individuals may have varying degrees of dehydration. • Often times, however, it can be difficult for health care practitioners to diagnose strep throat based on symptoms alone, as strep throat and sore throat due to a viral infection can often have similar overlapping symptoms. However, the presence and absence of certain symptoms can make strep throat more likely. In general, the common signs and symptoms of strep throat typically include the following: • fever,sorethroat,swollenand tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck (cervical lymphadenopathy), andwhite or yellow patches on the tonsils or on the back of the throat (tonsillar exudates). • Individuals with strep throat can experience other associated signs and symptoms as well, which may include any of the following:

Treatments, Cures and Vaccines • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration • Throat lozenges can sometimes provide temporary relief • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications for a minor sore throat- Advil and Tylenol • Herbal tea • Extra sleep • antibiotics are generally prescribed, Penicillin,amoxicillin, Macrolides • Strep Throat cant be cured, its just very nasty.

Where does the disease occur in the world? • This disease is found everywhere in the world and it is very contagious. It is a deadly bacterial disease and if you or someone that you know has it they should be checked out asap!

Other interesting Facts: • Strep Throat Prevention: • The best preventive measure against strep throat involves instituting measures to minimize the spread of the illness to others. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent strep throat. Keep eating utensils, dishes, and drinking glasses separate from any infected person. Do not to share foods and drinks, napkins, handkerchiefs, or towels because infection may spread by these objects of personal use. Cover the mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, this helps prevent the release of infected airborne droplets. Washing the hands frequently will help both the infected person and the uninfected people prevent the bacteria spreading to others.

If you end up getting strep throat, you should be buying a HUGE bag of halls and a bunch of tea because your in for a ride. Strep throat is painful and there is no vaccine. Just anti-biotic to get rid of it.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/strep_throat/page8_em.htm • www.google.ca www.wikipedia.ca

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Bacterial Diseases