Information on Strep Throat

Sore throat is a painful inflammation of the pharynx. The pharynx (pronounced FAAR-ingks) is the part of the throat that lies between the mouth and the larynx (pronounced LAAR-ingks), or voice box. It is associated most commonly with the common cold (see common cold entry) or influenza (the flu; see influenza entry). While most sore throats heal without complications, in some cases, they develop into a serious illness.

How is Strep Throat Transmitted? Strep Throat is transmitted directly from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Very occasionally strep throat is passed through food, when a food handler infected with strep throat accidentally contaminates food by coughing or sneezing.

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat The signs and symptoms of strep throat are red, sore throat with white patches on tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in neck, fever, and headache. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are more common in children. The patient will usually not have a cough, unlike in a viral infection.

More often than not, a sore throat is usually caused by allergies or a viral infection that will usually go away on its own. But some sore throats are the result of the bacteria streptococcus and are more serious.

Strep throat is highly contagious: you and your child may catch it at school, kinder garden, work, from your family members or any group of people. It usually affects people in early spring, winter or the last days of the fall, but it may also occur in other months of the year. You can have this bacterial infection at any age, but most at risk are teenagers and kids.

In addition, allergies (allergic rhinitis) can cause a sore throat. Usually, treatment will be delayed until the culture results are known. Doctors will often begin treatment of a sore throat immediately if there is a family history of rheumatic fever, if the patient has scarlet fever, or if rheumatic fever is commonly occurring in the community at the time. Otherwise, antibiotics should NOT be given without a positive strep test (culture or rapid strep test).

Strep throat is a contagious disease caused by infection with streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat symptoms include fever, pain, redness, and swelling of the throat and tonsils. Strep throat may produce mild or severe symptoms. Sore throat (pharyngitis) is a painful inflammation of the pharynx, which is the part of the throat that lies between the mouth and the larynx (voice box). Sore throat is often a symptom of various illnesses such as colds and flu, glandular fever, respiratory tract infections, tonsillitis, and chickenpox. While most sore throats heal without complications, in some cases, they develop into a serious illness. Although strep throat is most common in school-aged children and teens, adults may also get this disease. Strep throat is more widespread during the school year when a large number of students are present in an enclosed space, laughing, yelling, sneezing, and coughing.The bacteria are present in the nose and throat, so normal activities such as sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can spread the infection to other people. The infection can also be acquired by touching objects such as books, tables, or other hard surfaces that were handled by an infected person.


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Vitamins E And C - Effective Against The Common Cold?

Most people are now familiar with the idea that vitamin C may help protect against and mitigate the symptoms of the common cold, although this theory is by no means universally accepted by orthodox medical opinion. But there's now evidence that supplements of vitamin E may also play a role in reducing the incidence of infection; leading some commentators to propose that combined supplements of vitamins C and E may be highly effective both as prevention and treatment.

Various recent research studies have suggested that supplementation with 200 UI of vitamin E, or 1,000 mg of vitamin C may reduce the incidence of colds by between 20 and 25%, although double-blind/placebo experiments have not always been able to confirm these results. But even if one remains sceptical about the value of vitamins E and C as weapons for combatting the common cold specifically, there's no doubt that both are highly important in ensuring the optimal health of the immune system in general, and can therefore only be of value in warding off the worst effects of this annoying, albeit usually minor illness.

And there's particularly good evidence that vitamin E functions as a general immune system booster, preserving vital red blood cells and stimulating the body's production of natural antibodies, effects which have been shown to be particularly pronounced and important in the over 60s, whose immune systems are commonly beginning to function less effectively than those of younger people. Moreover, vitamins C and E are probably the body's two most important anti-oxidants, liquid and fat-soluble respectively, and crucial in protecting against the free radical damage to cells and tissue which left unchecked can lead to premature signs of ageing, and even the degenerative diseases which cause much of the misery associated with advancing years. So for their anti-oxidant functions alone it would be more than worthwhile to ensure an abundant supply of both of these vitamins.

When considering supplementation with vitamin E it is important to look for the tocopherol form, usually d-alpha tocopherol, which most closely replicates the naturally occurring form of the vitamin in foods such as wheatgerm, dairy produce oily fish and certain nuts and seeds.

As is well known, by far the best food sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and juices. But to obtain the kind of intakes generally recommended for optimal health and the prevention of colds and other infections, which most nutritional therapists set at least 1,000 mg (1gram) per day, it is probably necessary to supplement. Fortunately, ascorbate, the manufactured form of vitamin C, is highly effective, particularly when combined with the plant bioflavonoids with which vitamin C is commonly found in nature. Such supplements are readily available.

Vitamin C appears to be non-toxic in almost any quantity which could plausibly be ingested, the only reported side effect being diarrhea, and even this has been observed only in cases where tens of grams have been consumed on a daily basis. Somewhat more caution needs to be exercised in the case of vitamin E because of its fat solubility. But even here, however, supplementary doses of several thousand IU per day - far in excess of the normally recommended therapeutic dose of around 400 IU, appear to be very safe. The only likely contra-indication arises because of vitamin E's action as an anti-coagulant, meaning that it should not be taken before surgey or when taking any prescribed blood thinning medication. As always in matters of nutrition, however, it is crucial to adopt a holistic approach. And both vitamins E and C will require the presence of an abundant supply of all the vitamins and minerals required by the body if they are to do their work effectively. Even orthodox opinion, therefore, whilst ordinarily inclined to cast doubt upon the therapeutic claims of nutritional therapists, commonly recommends a comprehensive multi-vitamin and multi-mineral suppplement as a valuable element in a daily regime for optimal health.

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Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in direct marketing and with a particular interest in health products. Find out more about vitamins, minerals and liquid nutrition at Sisyphus Publications Online

Cold Sores Explained

Cold sores are common and although some may claim them to be trivial, I would argue that for the sufferer they are far from trivial. Cold sores are actually caused by a viral infection that attacks the skin and nervous system, hence why I do not believe it is a trivial condition, and although they are only small, they are in fact very painful fluid-filled blisters that appear around the mouth or nose. One of the big things to be aware of is that cold sores are highly contagious, so if you have a cold sore, please be very careful as it is very easy to infect another person. To avoid contaminating someone else you need to avoid certain things such as kissing and sharing cups, towels or other things. Also you must wash your hands after touching the sores as they be spread to another person via your hands too.



HSV-1, which is the most common type, usually causes cold sores (oral herpes). HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes. HSV1 can also be transferred to the genitals through oral pleasure. In the same way, HSV2 can be transferred to the mouth. However, it is possible to have a HSV-1 infection below the waist and vice versa. HSV-1 oral infections are more likely to repetitively re-occur as cold sores than HSV-2 caused infections.

Medications from a doctor can help cold sores clear up faster, but they will not prevent new outbreaks from occurring, as unfortunately once you have contracted the virus you have it for life. Medicines are sometimes prescribed but they are mainly for pain relief more than anything else.

Of course there are many different kinds of treatments available over the counter these days, which may include skin creams, ointments, or sometimes pills. Treatment may get rid of the cold sores, but it will only be 1 to 2 days faster than without using any kind of treatment, but as mentioned previously, it can also help ease painful blisters or other uncomfortable symptoms. But on the whole your cold sore is going to last for the duration.

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However, there are pressing claims now for natural treatments, some of which claim to be able to get rid of cold sores in 3 days or so, and although you will always have the condition, these natural treatments claim to be able to help you control the virus so that you no longer have to suffer outbreaks. You can find out more about these treatments at http://naturalgoodhealth.info/coldsorereview.php where these claims are reviewed in more detail.