Is there anything worse than the burning and irritation of strep throat? How about recurrent strep throat in adults? That is, strep throat that is contracted over and over again by the same person.
Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils that causes your throat to become inflamed and irritated. The symptoms of strep throat usually come on quickly, with no warning, and are accompanied by a high-grade fever and headache.
When you are sick, the last place you want to be is sitting in a doctor’s office waiting room. At FastMed, we understand that, which is why we strive to see each patient in under an hour. Whether you have strep throat, contracted the flu, or broken your ankle, FastMed is available to assist you every day of the year.
Recurrent Strep Throat in Adults | Causes:
To be considered recurrent, a person will normally have 3 or more cases of strep throat within a few months. There are several reasons why a person may get recurrent strep infections, including:
- Someone you spend a lot of time with is a strep throat carrier. A strep throat carrier is someone who has the strep bacteria in their throat, even when they exhibit no symptoms. Because the bacteria is present, it is possible for a carrier to spread it to others and infect them with strep throat.
- Resistance to antibiotics. Over time, bacteria can become resistant to an antibiotic, and the antibiotic will no longer work in fighting off the bacteria. Because repeated or improper use of antibiotics are the primary causes of drug-resistant bacteria, it is imperative that you strictly follow your doctor’s orders while taking antibiotics.
- Weakened immune system. People with HIV, AIDS, cancer, or other immune disorders are far more likely to develop recurring strep throat because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the bacteria that causes it.
No matter the cause of your recurring strep throat, practicing good hygiene can help keep you healthy. This includes washing your hands often and disinfecting frequently used surfaces.
If you have a sore throat and fever, and want to know if it is caused by strep throat, FastMed can perform rapid strep tests and have results for you within 10 minutes! Call or stop by one of our clinics today!