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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Flu Prevention - Natural Flu Prevention - Immune System Boosters - Vitamin C

Natural Flu Prevention vs the Flu Vaccine

With cold weather knocking on the door for many of our customers around the country, many are concerned about falling victim to colds and flu this season. While many tout that the Flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that remains a controversial subject.



First, most flu vaccines still contain thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative, which has some connections with toxicity and should be avoided.

Second, because there is no way to predict upcoming flu strains, the vaccine your Dr. will offer you often doesn't match the strain of flu that actually is causing the ailment this season. It is kind of like the computer industry, always running about a leg behind the virus creators in inventing virus protection.

Obviously, the BEST cure is an ounce of prevention and protection.

Some believe that the best protection from flu is flu itself. Recent research shows that the theory may actually have validity. In the past 20 years, deaths from flu in the elderly--the group most vulnerable to flu consequences--have decreased. At the same time, flu vaccination has increased by 45 to 50%. Researchers concluded, however, that flu vaccine didn't help decrease deaths from flu--people simply acquired natural immunity to the emerging strain of flu, which resulted in fewer flu-related deaths.

With flu vaccine effectiveness unclear, many are looking into natural ammunition against winter viruses.

The Role of Vitamin C and Flu Prevention

While the idea that Vitamin C, or any vitamin for that matter, can cure the common cold has remained an unproved and controversial topic, there have been recent studies that looked at the whole subject a different way: the immune system cells' response to vitamin C.

At the 60th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) recently, Susan Ritter and colleagues reported that 12 healthy subjects who took one gram of vitamin C a day for two weeks showed a boosted immune system response during that time.

Stephen Tilles, MD, with the Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center in Seattle, called the study "impressive" because it measures what's going on at the level of the cell. "This study legitimizes some of the popular assumptions about vitamin C and helps validate the effect of vitamin C on the immune system," he told WebMD. See complete article here at WebMD.

Immune Booster for Kids: Strawberry Jr. for Kids Emer'gen-C is a multivitamin formula that fizzes in water to furnish 500 mg of Vitamin C and 32 different mineral complexes, plus Vitamins A, B's, D, E, and K. Sweetened with Fructose for Quick Energy with Staying Power.

Immune Booster for Adults:

Chewable Vitamin C

Soothing Relief for the Whole Family:

Kiss My Face Cold and Flu Bath and Shower Gel is the perfect day-starter or antidote for those under-the-weather blues. Created with time-tested botanicals like Eucalyptus, Fennel, Horehound and other aromatics. To soothe the skin they added Olive Oil, Aloe Vera, and Allantoin.

Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States, on average:

*5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
*more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
*about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Good Health Habits for Flu Prevention and Cold Prevention

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is boosting your immune system with Vitamin C and good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often.

Help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu before they get started:

--Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
--If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
--Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
--Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
--Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
--Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

About the Author

Holly Nelson writes for 2 Computer Chicks