The clinical picture is characteristic of streptococcal tonsillitis. Medical treatment. Streptococcal tonsillitis (tonsillitis): the first signs, symptoms with photos and treatment methods in adults

The inflammatory process that appears on the tonsils of the palate is a type of acute or chronic tonsillitis. The first type is just called streptococcal tonsillitis. This disease is quite contagious, so it requires prompt treatment. Children are more susceptible to the disease, and parents are already infected from them. But not every case of angina is caused by a bacterial pathogen. Viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Only 10-20% of throat diseases are caused by bacteria. And of this volume, only 10% cause B-hemolytic streptococci. They spread through the air in the process of sneezing or coughing the patient. It is almost impossible to get infected through dishes or food. Children under the age of 2 years cannot get sick with streptococcal tonsillitis due to the characteristics of the body.

Factors that contribute to the development of tonsillitis are:

• chronic diseases of the nasopharynx;
• temperature changes;
• decreased immunity;
• lack of vitamins;
• damaged tonsils.

Streptococci are the main source of purulent tonsillitis. They stimulate the immune system to accelerate the production of antibodies, which in turn destroy not only foreign cells, but also healthy ones. This is the reason why tonsillitis sometimes causes complications. Children are especially hard on him. The disease often causes vomiting and nausea.

Typical symptoms of tonsillitis

Symptoms of strep throat may vary depending on the severity of the disease and the strength of the immune system. This disease has symptoms similar to other types of angina: fever, sore throat, intoxication. But streptococcal tonsillitis has a number of the following features:

Types of streptococcal tonsillitis

There are several types of streptococcal tonsillitis: catarrhal, fibrous, follicular, lacunar and necrotic.

Catarrhal tonsillitis is characterized by a slight deterioration in the general condition, a slight increase in body temperature, headache, reddening of the palate and a slight increase in the tonsils. Follicular and lacunar forms give pronounced intoxication, chills, temperature 39-40 ° C, poor appetite, severe pain when swallowing.

For follicular tonsillitis, suppuration of a yellowish-white color is characteristic.

Depending on the location, a sore throat of the nasopharyngeal and palatine tonsils, a sore throat of the tongue tonsil, larynx or lateral ridges are distinguished.

How the disease is diagnosed

To make a correct diagnosis, doctors take into account the following factors:

• symptoms;
• having contact with an already sick person;
• laboratory tests.

The most accurate analysis is sputum culture. Treatment is prescribed immediately, and if it is effective, then this fact accordingly confirms the diagnosis. In some clinics, a rapid test for the presence of antibodies is performed. In terms of accuracy, it is only slightly inferior to sowing. The most reliable diagnostic method is immunooptical analysis, but it is not available everywhere.

In differential diagnosis, the type of angina is determined, since streptococcal tonsillitis and viral tonsillitis are treated with completely different drugs. Sometimes it happens that a sore throat caused by streptococci has mild symptoms. In this case, it can be confused with such diseases:

• diphtheria, which is characterized by respiratory disorders;
• scarlet fever, as its symptom is a similar rash;
• mononucleosis;
• leukemia.

Simple sore throats mean nothing. But, if you have a fever and inflamed lymph nodes, this may be the first signs of a disease such as streptococcal tonsillitis. Of course, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, so it’s better to contact him, rather than start treatment on your own.

Possible Complications

Most often, after the start of taking antibiotics, they begin to act on the first or second day. If the drugs do not have the desired effect, the cause may not be the bacterial nature of the inflammation or the appearance of complications. These include:

Usually, complications can arise as a result of inattention to the disease: insufficient medication, non-compliance with bed rest, hopes for self-healing, etc.

In pregnant women, treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis that has not been started on time can lead to severe complications in the fetus, for example, to the development of rheumatism, liver, heart or kidney disease.

Treatment of streptococcal angina

The course of treatment for streptococcal angina is at least 10 days. Its duration depends on the severity and form of tonsillitis. In the course of treatment, the action of drugs is aimed at both the cause of the sore throat and the elimination of symptoms.

How are adults treated?

The main drug in the fight against streptococcal tonsillitis are antibiotics. If fever is present, the doctor prescribes an antipyretic. A special solution for treating the throat is also often prescribed. Inflammation and swelling are relieved with sucking tablets or irrigation sprays. To get rid of intoxication as soon as possible, they drink a lot of warm liquids and herbal teas.

If the disease has an advanced form, a solution of sodium chloride or glucose is administered orally. Not bad, together with medications, physiotherapy also helps. Its duration is from five to ten days. The following methods can be used as aids:

1. From the temperature of children, you can wipe with a little warm water.
2. Drink non-acidic juices and compotes.
3. Gargle with a decoction of chamomile, calendula or a weak solution of iodine.
4. Drink inside no more than a glass of decoction of chamomile, hawthorn and St. John's wort.

During treatment, the dosage of drugs indicated by the doctor should be strictly observed. It is also important to endure the entire period of treatment, otherwise the bacteria will remain in the body and lead to a new exacerbation of the condition.

For oral use from tonsillitis, penicillin preparations are often prescribed: Cefuroxime, Erythromycin, Cefalexin. In the case when the patient has intolerance to penicillin, macrolites are used, for example Summed.

If a pregnant woman gets sick with streptococcal tonsillitis, then the doctor will prescribe her an antibiotic that will be safe for her and the baby. But in this case, it is contraindicated to carry out treatment with alternative methods or to take medicines on your own. You should only do what the specialist has prescribed!

How are children treated?

If the treatment of the child is started immediately, then the disease will quickly recede and will not lead to negative complications. Otherwise, streptococcal tonsillitis can become chronic.

A complex of drugs will help to effectively overcome tonsillitis in a child as well as in an adult. Be sure to observe bed rest and follow all prescribed procedures.

Penicillin-based antibiotics are effective against streptococcus and have fewer side effects than more modern drugs. In case of intolerance to penicillin, erythromycin can be taken.

It should also be noted that small children cannot dissolve tablets from the throat. For their treatment, various sprays are better suited: inhalipt, hexoral and others. You need to spray carefully so as not to exceed the dose, and not cause a spasm of the larynx.

Prevention

After streptococcal tonsillitis, a person's immunity is very weakened, so it is highly likely that the disease will reappear. The protective functions of the body need a long time to recover. To prevent the occurrence of angina again, it is important to observe preventive measures:

• reduce the frequency of appearance in public places during seasonal colds;
• maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the room;
• prevent the appearance of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, including caries;
• strengthen immunity;
• maintain a sleep, nutrition and rest regime that is favorable for the body.

Far from every angina in children requires treatment with pharmaceutical preparations and the use of antibiotics. Sometimes, with angina, home treatment can be used, and sometimes antibiotics will be required for treatment. It is best to understand the problem together with the pediatrician, but the baby's parents should know what to look for if the child suddenly complains of a sore throat.

Streptococcal angina in children - we make a diagnosis

Angina, also known as tonsillitis, is characterized by reddening of the palatine tonsils and fights in the throat. The body temperature in this disease certainly rises. Visually observe the change on the back wall of the pharynx and on the palatine tonsils. The tonsils are edematous, red, sometimes shiny lacquer, sometimes they are covered with a whitish coating.

In order to cure the disease quickly and without complications, it is necessary to correctly diagnose. The type of infection caused by a virus or bacteria depends on the treatment plan, the presence of complications and the speed of recovery.

streptococcal infection

Angina, as well as pharyngitis, can be caused by a variety of microorganisms. More often this pathogen is a virus, especially in children under three years of age. Red throat and pain in this age of children is caused by a viral infection. here they will not bring recovery, they are useless, and sometimes they can do harm.

Only in 10-30% of cases, the cause of angina is a bacterial infection. An infection caused by bacteria requires qualified antibiotic therapy. The most common cause of angina in children is beta-hemolytic group A.

He is treated quite well with many antibiotics, is unstable to them. However, streptococcus can cause serious purulent complications. These are such as paratonsillar abscess, in which lymphoid tissue suppurates, or lymphadenitis - this is when regional lymph nodes become inflamed as a result of a purulent infection.

Streptococcus, with improper treatment of angina, can lead to complications of a non-purulent nature, such as rheumatic fever, which in the future leads to heart disease, or the occurrence of glomerulonephritis, a dangerous disease. Occasionally, as a result of streptococcal tonsillitis, the nervous system suffers, for example, a tick occurs.

Preliminary diagnostics

A symptom of any viral infection in children is a red throat, because it is in the tonsils and on the back of the throat that the virus sits first of all. Therefore, looking at the reddened throat of the baby, it cannot be said that this is a bacterial tonsillitis and should be treated with antibiotics. Streptococcal infection is most likely in children older than three years of age, when there is a very high body temperature and sore throat.

When examining the neck of the baby, you can observe point whitish foci on the tonsils. With a viral infection, a dense white coating is observed on the tongue and tonsils. Another sign of a streptococcal infection is a bright red pharynx and small dots of hemorrhage on the hard or soft palate.

A smear taken from the back and from the tonsils, made in the laboratory, will finally help to clarify the picture of the disease. In addition, streptotests are now sold in the pharmacy chain. They allow you to quickly, almost immediately make the correct diagnosis.

Complications after streptococcal tonsillitis are rare, only 1% of such cases are recorded. The course and prognosis of the disease depends on the overall individual reactivity of the organism. In Canada and England, for example, streptococcal tonsillitis is not treated, it is believed that the body must overcome the disease on its own. Symptomatic therapy and antipyretic drugs are prescribed for high temperature candles.

Treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis in children

If a child has a sore throat of viral origin, antibiotics are most often not needed, treatment is prescribed that reduces symptoms, rinses, antipyretics, herbal medicine. Fine inhalations give excellent results in the treatment of viral infections and some other diseases of the respiratory system.

Each person has two small "balls" deep in the mouth, hidden behind the palatine arches - the palatine tonsils. They perform the function of a barrier and disinfect to the maximum everything that enters our body through the mouth. From this it becomes clear that the palatine tonsils meet daily and fight various pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi) and in the event of an unsuccessful “battle” for them, their inflammation may occur, which will bear the well-known name tonsillitis (tonsillae - palatine tonsils, ending - itis means inflammation). The most frequent (~40% of cases) are viral tonsillitis. Bacterial tonsillitis accounts for ~30% of cases, and in ~30% of cases it is not possible to establish the cause of the inflammation. Among the bacterial pathogens of acute tonsillitis, GABHS (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus) poses the greatest danger, causing more than 30% of tonsillitis in children under 18 years of age, in adults their frequency does not exceed 10%. And just about this streptococcal tonsillitis, we will talk with you, because of illiteracy we call it “tonsillitis”.

Who is most likely to get streptococcal tonsillitis?

Streptococcal tonsillitis most often affects children aged 5-15 years, but there may be exceptions in both directions. But children under 3 years old and adults over 18 years old really get sick very rarely.

What are the symptoms of this disease?

Typical symptoms of streptococcal tonsillitis: abrupt onset, severe sore throat, especially when swallowing (especially solid food - an apple for example), fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck. When examining the oral cavity, one can notice enlarged palatine tonsils with a white coating on them. Streptococcal tonsillitis is a bacterial disease, which means that it is characterized by intoxication, that is, the effect of bacterial toxins on the body: children are usually pale, drowsy, and weak. Antipyretic drugs do not bring such relief, which happens with any other acute respiratory disease. Due to severe intoxication, there may be nausea, vomiting, headache.

How can streptococcal tonsillitis be suspected?

The final diagnosis is made only after a rapid test for streptococcal antigen or sowing from the palatine tonsils, however, angina can already be suspected by symptoms. Especially for this, the so-called "clinical scales" were developed.

One of the most accurate and convenient is the McIsaac scale. The presence of each of the signs is marked by one point:

1) temperature over 38 degrees - 1 point;
2) absence of cough — 1 point;
3) enlargement and soreness of the cervical lymph nodes - 1 point;
4) increase in palatine tonsils and attacks on them - 1 point;
5) age 3-14 years old - 1 point, 15-18 years old - 0 points.

If there is a score of 0-1, further testing for beta-hemolytic streptococcus is not performed due to the very low probability of streptococcal tonsillitis. If 2-5 points are scored, then an express test or sowing from the palatine tonsils is performed. A positive rapid test confirms the diagnosis, and the patient is prescribed antibiotic therapy. A negative test needs to be cross-checked with culture as a more sensitive method.

How can a diagnosis of streptococcal tonsillitis be confirmed?

To do this, they usually use sowing from the palatine tonsils, which is done in the hospital. This is the most effective method, but it has the following disadvantages: 1) it is performed only in a medical facility; 2) the result is very rarely obtained faster than 5 days. There are special express tests for the presence of GABHS on the palatine tonsils - for example, Streptatest is registered in Russia. It can be freely bought and very easy to perform even at home, clearly following the instructions. However, only a positive result is reliable - a negative result always needs to be rechecked by standard culture.

How to treat streptococcal tonsillitis?

To cure a sore throat, you need only one drug - a systemic antibiotic. The word "systemic" means that the drug is administered only by mouth or by injection (intramuscular or intravenous). Antibiotic solutions in the form of sprays or gargles have nothing to do with the treatment of any bacterial tonsillitis, including strep. Usually, with the correct selection of the drug and its dosage, relief occurs after 24-48 (in rare cases - after 72) hours from the start of administration. After that, the temperature returns to normal, sore throat, weakness, lack of appetite stop. While the antibiotic has not worked, symptomatic treatment may be used: ibuprofen/paracetamol to relieve sore throat and fever, gargling with solutions/use of anesthetic sprays, sucking on hard candies, drinking warm or cold liquids (Damn it! cold compote and eat ice cream, as with any other painful lesions of the oropharynx, if this brings real relief!). However, the most important thing is an antibiotic!

Can streptococcal tonsillitis go away without antibiotic treatment?

Yes, streptococcal tonsillitis usually ends in recovery 5-7 days from the onset of the disease, even if it is not treated with a systemic antibiotic. Nevertheless, an antibiotic should be used because it shortens the duration of the disease and protects against purulent and rheumatic complications.

How long is the patient infectious?

A person ceases to be contagious after 1-2 days from the start of taking the antibiotic.

What are the complications of streptococcal tonsillitis if it is treated incorrectly?

During the height of the disease, purulent complications may occur (retropharyngeal abscess, cervical lymphadenitis, mastoiditis), and after recovery - within a few weeks - rheumatic complications: acute rheumatic fever with / without carditis, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

How to avoid these complications?

To avoid complications, the doctor must: a) correctly diagnose (you already know how); b) prescribe an adequate course of antibiotic therapy. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus dies from most of the antibiotics that we have in our pharmacies, which means choosing the wrong drug is quite difficult. At the same time, you need to clearly know the duration of treatment for streptococcal tonsillitis, if such a diagnosis was nevertheless made: the most used antibiotics in such cases (penicillin, amoxicillin) are prescribed for a period of 10 days. If a child is allergic to penicillins, then he may be prescribed an antibiotic from another group - azithromycin, which is taken for 5 days. It is very important not to skip taking the drug and always take the full course of treatment!

What to do if an antibiotic for some reason is not prescribed from the first days of illness?

An antibiotic can be prescribed within 9 days of the onset of symptoms, and this has been shown to be protective against rheumatic complications. That is, you always have time to do the sowing (even if it is done for more than 5 days) and then begin an adequate course of treatment.

Who is not eligible for a rapid test/culture for beta-hemolytic streptococcus?

Testing for beta-hemolytic streptococcus is not indicated at any age if there are clear signs of a viral infection: cough, runny nose, hoarseness, mouth ulcers. This examination is also not indicated for children under 3 years of age, because: a) in them this disease very rarely proceeds according to the type of acute tonsillitis; b) such children almost never have rheumatic complications due to the peculiarities of the immune system at this age.

Do healthy family members need to be seeded if someone in the house is sick with streptococcal tonsillitis?

No, you don't have to.

Should asymptomatic carriers of beta-hemolytic streptococcus be treated? Is asymptomatic carriage dangerous?

In a fairly large number of patients, BSHA continues to be isolated after recovery, but they do not need repeated courses of antibiotics without symptoms of the disease. GABHS carriage does not lead to the development of rheumatic complications. If GABHS is sown in a person with frequent recurrences of chronic tonsillitis, then he is treated as an ordinary patient with chronic tonsillitis.

All parents are afraid of the diagnosis of streptococcal angina. That is why, at the first manifestations of inflammation in the throat, either an independent intake or a course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor begins. Is streptococcal tonsillitis so terrible and dangerous, what distinguishes it from a viral infection and how to properly treat the disease - there are still different points of view on these questions.

The causative agent of streptococcal tonsillitis, the prevalence of the disease

Not every case of angina is characterized by the presence of a bacterial pathogen. The most common cause of sore throats is viruses. Only 5-15% of tonsillitis in adults and 20-30% in children are of bacterial origin, which means that antibiotic treatment is appropriate only in rare cases. Of the above indicators, only 10% are caused by B-hemolytic streptococcus. The chance of getting strep throat is 0.5 - 3%. This means that it is not worth sounding the alarm and panicking when a sore throat appears, although inattention can play a cruel joke and as a result you can get one of the most serious complications.

B-hemolytic streptococcus is a highly contagious bacterium that is usually contracted when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Infection through dishes, contaminated food is unlikely. However, outbreaks of streptococcal throat infections often occur in kindergartens, especially in winter and in the spring. Streptococcal tonsillitis in children under 3 years old is practically impossible due to the specifics of a small organism.

Symptoms of streptococcal tonsillitis

The clinical picture of the disease is diverse and depends on the severity of the inflammatory process and the immune activity of the body. As with other tonsillitis, streptococcal is characterized by the presence of sore throat, temperature, and intoxication. However, tonsillitis caused by streptococcus has clear differences:

• develops almost instantly (in a few hours), the period of development of symptoms in other tonsillitis can reach 4 days;
• the temperature is usually high (38 - 40 ° C);
• severe sore throat and a fairly large increase in submandibular lymph nodes;
• pronounced signs of intoxication (muscle pain, nausea and possible vomiting); the likelihood of developing streptococcal toxic shock;
• the absence as such of cough and watery runny nose, more characteristic of viral types of angina;
• severe hyperemia of the throat (with viral sore throats, pink pharynx) and swollen palatine uvula;
• purulent foci affect the palatine tonsils and the back wall of the pharynx, pus can be white and yellow in the form of curdled spots;
• the tongue is red, with swollen papillae ("strawberry" tongue);
• a small punctate rash may appear on the body.

Streptococcal Throat Infection Diagnosis

Doctors take into account in confirming the diagnosis:

• symptoms;
• the presence in contact of a patient with an already established streptococcal sore throat;
• laboratory research.

Sowing exudate from the pharynx usually already confirms the diagnosis of streptococcal tonsillitis, treatment is already underway, and the presence of a bacterial infection can be determined by its effectiveness. In some clinics, an express test is carried out for the presence of RADT (antigen), which is only slightly inferior in sensitivity to culture, but even in the presence of B-hemolytic streptococcus, it can show a negative result. The most reliable way to confirm the diagnosis - immunooptical analysis - is not carried out in every clinic.

Attention: Laboratory tests are prescribed only if there are symptoms of streptococcal tonsillitis!

Differential Diagnosis

In differential diagnosis, in the first place is the definition of the type of angina. With viral and streptococcal tonsillitis, completely different treatment will be prescribed. Streptococcal angina, the symptoms of which may not be so pronounced, should be distinguished:

• from scarlet fever, especially when there is a rash;
• from diphtheria (now the disease is rare, and the clinical picture is characterized by rapidly developing respiratory failure);
• from mononucleosis, although this disease is treated exclusively with bed rest without the use of antibiotics;
• from leukemia (very rare, but an inaccurate diagnosis can be dangerous for the patient).

Sore throats can be caused by too dry air to the apartment during the heating season. However, it is worth worrying only with an increase in temperature and an increase in lymph nodes. Considering the low probability of the appearance of streptococcal tonsillitis, it is worth taking antibiotics on your own or running to the clinic because of the fear of streptococcus only with a sound analysis of all the symptoms.

Complications of a streptococcal throat infection: fictional horror stories or real danger?

Usually, antibiotics, provided that the causative agent of angina is streptococcus, act already in the first or second day from the start of treatment. If the picture of symptoms does not change, the patient at least does not get better, one can assume a non-bacterial etiology of inflammation or the appearance of complications.

• Peritonsillar or pharyngeal abscess. The most common complication of angina, often occurring against a background of weakened immunity.
• Rheumatism. This disease is now not considered in connection with a streptococcal infection of the throat, since even antibacterial treatment of angina, which is late for 9 days, does not give rheumatism a single chance to develop.
• Only children from especially unfavorable living conditions are at risk of acquiring rheumatic heart disease.
• Acute nephritis. Myocarditis. Sepsis. Infrequent complications that occur when a weak immune system is combined with improper treatment or too short-term use of antibiotics, when the pathogen remains in the body and affects the internal organs.

Absolutely not attentive attitude to the disease leads to complications. Many people, hoping for self-healing, do not even observe elementary rules (bed rest, warm drink, gargling, etc.).

Treatment: time-tested antibiotics to help

The most effective treatment for streptococcal tonsillitis is complex. Along with taking antibiotics, general principles (bed, plenty of warm drink) and symptomatic drugs (antipyretic, strengthening,) play an important role. Questions about hospitalization are decided by the attending specialist and depend on the severity of the process, general condition, and the presence of complications.

As before, antibiotics of the penicillin series are excellent for streptococcus. Although many doctors have already managed to write off these drugs and prescribe more potent drugs that have more side effects.

It should be remembered: antibacterial drugs have no effect in viral tonsillitis, their use in these cases is useless.

The most proven way to treat angina of streptococcal etiology is a 10-day treatment with penicillin or its analogue, amoxicillin. These drugs are inexpensive, effective against streptococcus, less often than new generation drugs cause adverse reactions. In the case of an allergy to penicillins, treatment can be carried out with erythromycin.

Cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, etc.), Clarithromycin, Macropen are usually used for complicated, severe tonsillitis, when other drugs do not improve.

Important: Short-term use (3-5 days) of strong antibiotics leads to repeated tonsillitis and addiction to the drug.

Streptococcal angina, especially in children, is the reason for the increased attention to health and a sound approach to treatment. Panic about complications with the right course of treatment is completely unfounded. This disease is no worse than others, if you consider its distinguishing features in time and take a comprehensive approach to treatment.

The diagnosis of "streptococcal tonsillitis" scares every patient. Therefore, many, when the first symptoms appear, begin treatment of streptococcal tonsillitis without consulting a doctor. Only an experienced specialist will be able to explain whether this type of disease is so dangerous, and how to distinguish it from other viral infectious processes.

Not all tonsillitis is characterized by the presence of a bacterial pathogen. The most common cause of sore throat. Only 20% of the disease is provoked by bacteria, which means that the use of antibiotics for treatment is appropriate only in some cases. The percentage of streptococcus is also low.
The chance of contracting this kind of pathology is very small, so there is no need to panic when a sore throat appears. But the patient must remember that neglect and inattention can lead to complications. In this connection, it is recommended to recover to the ENT at the first symptomatology.

Hemolytic streptococcus is considered a highly contagious bacterium, so infection can occur when an already infected person sneezes and coughs. It is unlikely to get sick through contaminated food or utensils. However, streptococcal tonsillitis often occurs as an infectious outbreak in preschool institutions during the autumn-winter period.

Streptococcal tonsillitis in children under three years of age is impossible due to the specific anatomy of the baby's body. Mass infection of children can happen in a kindergarten group when healthy children come into contact with an infected person.

Symptoms of streptococcal angina

Streptococcal angina has a varied clinical picture, which directly depends on the severity of inflammation and the immune activity of the patient. As with any other type of tonsillitis, the patient has a sore throat, intoxication due to fever.

However, streptococcal tonsillitis has clear distinguishing features:

• develops in a short time, in a few hours;
• extremely high temperature:
• acute soreness in the throat;
• growth of lymph nodes of submandibular localization;
• muscle pain, nausea;
• absence of cough and rhinitis;
• severe hyperemia;
• curdled pus on the tonsils;
• swollen growths on the tongue;
• small dotted rash on the skin.

Signs of tonsillitis such a course are markedly different from other infectious processes. In this connection, the patient will be able to recognize the presence of a streptococcal pathogen already by the first manifestations. You should not start self-treatment of the disease. It is recommended to seek help from a specialist.

Distinctive signs of pathology will allow the doctor to make the correct diagnosis and choose an effective treatment. It is important not only to eliminate the symptoms of infection, but also to suppress the development of the viral pathogen. The spread of the virus in a short time period inside the body, without timely treatment, can lead to the addition of secondary ailments and other complications.

Diagnosis of streptococcal angina in the throat

Physicians should take into account symptoms, laboratory results, and exposure to people who already have streptococcal infections to confirm the diagnosis.

Exudate sowing from the pharynx usually confirms the suspicion of streptococcal angina. According to the results of the first therapy in the first days, the doctor will be able to detect the presence of a bacterial agent inside the body. In almost all modern clinics, experts offer to do an express antigen test, which is not inferior in sensitivity to sowing. But such an analysis, even in the presence of streptococcus in the body, often shows negative results.

The most reliable way to confirm the diagnosis is an immunooptical study. But, unfortunately, it is not carried out in all medical institutions. Laboratory examination is usually prescribed precisely in cases of suspected streptococcal tonsillitis.

In differential diagnosis, the definition of the variety of tonsillitis is in the first place. With a viral and streptococcal form of angina, completely different treatment will be selected.

The disease caused by such a pathogen should be distinguished from:

Too dry air masses in the room during the heating season can lead to a sore throat. But it is possible to suspect the development of an infectious process with an increase in lymph nodes and an increase in temperature. Given the low probability of streptococcal tonsillitis, you should not self-medicate and use antibiotics without the appointment of specialists.

Possible Complications of a Streptococcal Throat Infection

Usually, antibiotics for this disease begin to act already on the second day. If the symptomatic picture does not change within the specified time frame, doctors should assume a non-bacterial origin of the inflammation or an already begun complication of the pathology.

1. Retropharyngeal abscess is considered the most common among the complications of tonsillitis. Most often occurs with a weakened immune system.
2. Rheumatic heart disease can develop in babies. There is a risk of developing such an ailment under adverse living conditions for a small patient.
3. Among infrequent complications, sepsis with myocarditis and acute nephritis are distinguished. They occur against the background of weakened immunity in combination with improper therapy. In addition, too short a course of taking antibiotic drugs can provoke such pathologies.

Any accompanying processes can develop due to an inattentive attitude to the inflammatory process. Many patients, hoping for the success of self-treatment, cease to follow the elementary rules of effective therapy.

Treatment of streptococcal angina

The most effective is a comprehensive course to combat the streptococcal form of tonsillitis. Along with the use of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest and drink plenty of fluids and use symptomatic medications.

It is possible to cure the disease in a short time period with the help of antipyretic drugs and disinfectant rinse. Hospitalization is indicated only in case of a particularly severe course of the disease or in the presence of serious complications.

You can get rid of streptococcus by using antibiotic formulations of the penicillin series. Many doctors suggest replacing them with stronger drugs, but they also have pronounced side effects.

With viral tonsillitis, any antibacterial agent is absolutely ineffective. "Amoxicillin" or "Penicillin" can extinguish the activity of streptococcus after 10 days. Such drugs do not have a high cost, but are very effective in combating this particular irritant. If the patient is allergic to such drugs, then the doctor will have to prescribe their analogues.

With complicated tonsillitis, cephalosporins are used, since other groups of drugs cannot have the proper effect on the inflammatory process. If the patient independently stopped the antibiotic course, then the sore throat will recur after a few weeks. In addition, interrupting drug treatment ahead of time will provoke the body to become addicted to the drug.

Streptococcal infection encourages the patient not only to consult a doctor in a timely manner, but also to pay special attention to their own health. A healthy approach to treatment will allow you to cope with the disease without any side effects.

After the virus has been eliminated, it is necessary to drink an additional fortified course. Strengthening the immune system will help prevent re-infection. Any violations in the functioning of the protective functions lead to the risk of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.