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Archiver > MDALLEGA > 2006-08 > 1155621751


From: ~~C <>
Subject: Streptococcus
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 23:02:31 -0700 (PDT)
In-Reply-To: <200608142154.k7ELsOuo007159@edison.ghg.net>


Strep - 1902 epidemic.

Sore throats are most often caused by a virus or other irritants such as smoke, etc.

Strep throat is caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria. There are many different strains of strep bacteria, some more dangerous than others. A strep infection causes the throat (pharynx) and the tonsils or adnoids to become irritated, inflamed and painful. This is spread from person to person and is highly contagious.

When untreated by antibiotics strep throat may cause Rheumatic Fever. A rare but potentially life-threatening disease, (not as rare before antibiotics) rheumatic fever is a complication of untreated strep throat, caused by bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. The main symptoms -- fever, muscle aches, swollen and painful joints, and in some cases, a red, lattice-like rash -- typically begin one to six weeks after a bout of strep, although in some cases the infection may have been too mild to have been recognized.

The joints most likely to become swollen from rheumatic fever are the knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. The pain often migrates from one joint to another. However, the greatest danger from the disease is the damage it can do to the heart. In more than half of all cases, rheumatic fever scars the valves of the heart, forcing this vital organ to work harder to pump blood. Over a period of months or even years -- particularly if the disease strikes again -- this damage to the heart can lead to a serious condition known as rheumatic heart disease, which can eventually cause the heart to fail.

My brother had rheumatic fever when he was younger and it did have effects on his mitral valve.

Diptheria - next post



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~~C

It's realy very simple, your life is now.

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