Strep Throat , usually Affecting Children
Strep throat usually experienced by children aged 5-15 years , but still can affect all ages . Although this disease can appear at any time during the year , strep throat tend to circulate during cold weather . How do I recognize that infections caused by bacteria that attack , not a virus ? We can see the symptoms .
Infections caused by viruses usually followed colds and coughs , while infections caused by bacteria without complaint colds and coughs . In addition , there are some typical symptoms of which are red and swollen tonsils , sometimes there are white patches or pus , swelling of the neck lymph nodes , and fever over 39 degrees Celsius in children who are old enough , or a fever that lasts more than two days .
Laboratory tests can be done in several ways . First with throat swab ( throat culture) . Pengusapan performed using a sterile swab of the throat and tonsils to get a sample of mucus . This procedure is not painful , but little induce vomiting .
Mucus samples obtained were then tested in the laboratory to check for bacteria . Throat swab test results usually take up to two days . If you want quick results , can be rapid antigen test . This test can detect the presence of strep bacteria in minutes by looking antigens or foreign substances (foreign substances ) in the throat .
However , this type of laboratory tests have shortcomings , which sometimes can not read a strep throat infection . Because of this , doctors still use the throat swab test ( throat culture) , particularly if the results of rapid antigen test is negative .
Another way is commonly used rapid DNA test . This test is relatively new, the use of DNA technology to detect strep throat disease within a period of one day using a throat swab results . The throat swab test as accurate ( throat culture) and the results can be known sooner .
If lab tests show positive results , treatment should be done immediately . For, although strep throat itself is not harmful , if left untreated will lead to serious complications . Some of the complications that can arise is tonsillitis or tonsil pus due to infection ( peritonsillar abscess ) , sinus infection ( sinusitis ) , ear infections , fever , and scarlet or disease characterized by the presence of spots on the skin .
In addition , strep sore throat can also cause inflammation of the kidneys ( glomerulonephritis ) and rheumatic fever ( rheumaticfever ) .
Rheumatic fever causes inflammation buildup that forms in tissues of the body , including the joints , skin , and muscle . The buildup of this inflammation may also be formed in the heart muscle , especially on the heart channel , which cause injury and affect blood flow in the heart .
Although surgery can repair the wound channel , the damage may not be lost. In some cases , this damage can lead to heart failure .
Sources : Okezone.com