Strep throat is an illness caused by a tiny egg-shaped bacterium called streptococcus bacteria. The bacterium affects the alimentary canal positioned at the throat. Strep throat mostly affects children aged between five to 15 years. However is also affects adults although at a minor magnitude. Furthermore, it is an infection that affects the mucous membrane found in the throat.

The most common physical symptoms of strep throat include swollen lymph nodes in the neck and also redness and subsequent swelling of the throat and tonsils. Individuals who live in damp, crowded places or smoke are at a higher risk of being infected with strep throat disease. Infected persons develop painful sore throat five days after exposure by the streptococcus bacteria.

In addition an individual may experience headache and belly pains and also red skin rash coupled with vomiting and lack of appetite among others.  However, that the above mentioned symptoms vary between individuals infected by the bacterial disease occasioned by the differences in the immune systems of the individuals.

One question is that is strep throat contagious?

For an illness to be termed contagious it should be easily transferable from an infected person to another uninfected individual through contact of mouth-related fluids such as saliva and also through coming into direct contact with items touched by infected persons without properly disinfecting them. In this regard the debate about whether strep throat is contagious has been the bone of contention in the medical circles. Transmission modes of Strep throat indicate that it is a contagious disease. This is made capable due to liquid discharges for example saliva and nasal fluids from an infected person. Its spread is aggravated by close contact of individuals in public places such as schools, day care centers among other institutions. For example, coughing and sneezing may spit the bacteria into the air thus making those proximate to the infected person to breathe it increasing the chances of infection.

• Risk Factors

Although every individual is prone to strep throat certain factors exacerbate the chances of infection by the illness. They include age, tobacco, allergies, exposure to chemical irritants and lowered immunity. Individuals with other diseases such as HIV/AIDs have low resistance to diseases due to a decrease in white blood cells that fight diseases. Additionally, working in high risk areas such as schools military barracks, public service vehicles that comprise persons of different health backgrounds pose as fertile lands for the spread of the contagious ailment. Also second hand tobacco smoke can cause irritation of the throat prompting strep throat disorder.