It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And the last thing you need to worry about during the holidays is combating a case of strep throat. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga wants to share some insight about this common medical condition, including its symptoms and how it is treated. Read on as we take a look.
When Should You Go to the Doctor for a Sore Throat?
That’s a bit of a tricky question. We sometimes get sore throats for minor reasons, such as seasonal allergies. But you should seek medical attention if your sore throat lingers for a few days or if you have other symptoms, including a fever.Symptoms of Strep Throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Throat pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Red spots on the back of the roof of your mouth
- Red tonsils that can have white patches
Can Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own?
Although strep throat can sometimes go away on its own, the group A streptococcus responsible for the infection also can lead to more serious infections like rheumatic fever. Therefore, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible so that you can begin taking the proper measures to treat your strep as soon as possible.Ways to Heal Strep Throat
- Take an antibiotic as prescribed.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids, particularly water.
- Stay away from irritants.
- Use a humidifier.
- Gargle with salt water.
