How to Treat Strep Throat at Home with Telemedicine?
Streptococcal sore throat, or tonsillitis, is a dangerous pathology. And as soon as you notice unpleasant symptoms, you should take action. You should be alerted by severe pain in the throat and redness; the formation of purulent foci on the surface of the tonsils; an increase in the cervical lymph nodes; redness of the throat and pharynx; and tongue swelling. And even more dangerous are a temperature of 39-40 degrees, chills, loss of appetite, weakness, and muscle pain. The problem is that the disease develops rapidly! Let’s discuss strep throat symptoms and figure out how telemedicine can help you!
Nature of the Dangerous Disease
This disease is manifested by severe damage to the lymphoid elements of the tonsils and oropharynx. The disease develops when beta-hemolytic staphylococcal infection of group A (GABHS) gets into the throat and infects it. The causative agent of the infection rapidly multiplies in the mucous membrane and causes severe inflammation of the back wall of the throat and tonsils, causing acute tonsillopharyngitis. Literally, in a few hours, you can feel terrible. Of course, going to the doctor when you are weak is tough. This is where telemedicine services come in handy.
Why Is Visiting a Clinic Not an Option?
Sore throat, constant sneezing, weakness and fatigue, and high temperature. How can you find the strength to go to the doctor? In addition, you could have felt unwell at night. You think the situation is not severe enough to call an ambulance, but it is also impossible to see a doctor. This is where telemedicine comes to the rescue. At KM Medicine, we provide virtual assistance around the clock. We will advise you on what you can do to alleviate your condition. Our professional and sensitive specialists will give you the care you need.
How Can You Get Strep Throat?
This is an extremely unpleasant and sometimes serious disease caused by certain bacteria. It spreads when the weather changes and sometimes even by eating with an infected person. Be careful if a person with strep throat sneezes or coughs. Use household items carefully. Take care of yourself, trying to have as little contact with the sick person as possible.
The Danger of Strep Throat
The main thing is not to underestimate the danger of this disease. Of course, most infections similar to it pass without a trace. But here everything is much more serious. The lack of proper treatment of strep throat can lead to complications in the head and neck area. The most dangerous complications are interstitial toxic shock, rheumatism or joint damage, retropharyngeal and peritonsillar abscess, and even damage to brain structures. That’s why you absolutely must not hesitate!
Types of Streptococcal Sore Throat
The inflammation of the throat structures is different: catarrhal, fibrous, lacunar, follicular, and necrotic. Streptococcal sore throat is most often lacunar and follicular; that is, it is accompanied by the formation of purulent follicles on the surface of the tonsils and the accumulation of pus in their lacunae.
Streptococcal Sore Throat in Children
40% of cases of the disease occur in children. It is at this vulnerable age of childhood that complications most often occur. Also, the disease develops faster in children. Therefore, if you suspect that your child has streptococcal sore throat, contact your doctor online at the first signs of illness.
The Need for Early Diagnosis
Usually, the signs of streptococcal inflammation appear very quickly. This is the danger of this disease. Within a few hours after infection, your condition may worsen. You do not have an incubation period of up to 4 days, as with a common sore throat, with which this disease is sometimes confused. At the same time, the patient may not have a cough, but there are signs of intoxication, vomiting, and nausea. So in the early stages, this disease can be confused with poisoning. That is why a correct diagnosis is extremely important.
Diagnostics
The disease is often confused with others. So, a visual examination using the pharyngoscopy method is necessary for accurate detection. Then the ENT doctor takes a bacterial culture to determine the type of pathogen. An express test for GAS will also help to establish a diagnosis. Having identified the features of the course of the disease, the doctor prescribes medications. Qualified otolaryngologists know how to deal with throat infections. As a rule, effective treatment of streptococcal sore throat is carried out with the help of antibacterial drugs. It helps to eliminate the infection and remove the pathological focus.
Strep Throat Treatments
The doctor can prescribe antiseptic solutions for gargling, anti-inflammatory drops and dragees, emollient sprays and lozenges, and painkillers. Unfortunately, if the disease is advanced, inpatient treatment may be required. So it is better to see a doctor immediately. In general, this disease is effectively treated with antibiotics. Your doctor will most likely prescribe you an oral antibiotic. Taking it within 48 hours makes you more likely to avoid complications. That is why it is so important to see a doctor right away. Modern telemedicine services also make visiting a doctor as comfortable as possible.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve a sore throat and reduce fever. Note that you should be extremely careful when giving aspirin to children or adolescents! Children and adolescents with chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Unfortunately, the seemingly harmless drug aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but very dangerous disease. But don’t worry. If a qualified specialist is monitoring you, everything will be fine!
How Can Telemedicine Help Cope with the Disease?
No visits to the doctor and standing in lines. Simply contact our specialist, and you will receive expert advice, the support you need, and an online prescription for antibiotics. And you can start treatment immediately! Moreover, delay in this case is simply fatal. You can contact leading health care specialists with just a few taps on your device! How can you prepare for an online consultation? It couldn’t be easier!
Share photos or videos of sore throats or oral infections. This will make it easier for the doctor to assess your condition. Remotely monitor your health and track your vital signs! Secure and instant access to your electronic medical records (EMR) makes treatment much easier. And if necessary, you can immediately contact emergency services. At KM Medicine, we know how to take care of patients. Please, call us anytime!