Strep throat is caused by the infection of a bacteria known as streptococcus. This causes infection of the tonsils and oral pharynx. Many a times, the body rejuvenates from this infectious condition on its own and several times natural remedies helps in curing this condition quickly. However, if sore throat is left untreated, several complications develop. This article discusses some of the strep throat complications.
Strep Throat Complications:
If strep throat is left untreated, it leads severe health conditions. Following are the complications of strep throat.
- Tonsillitis: If the infection is due to bacteria, it leads to tonsils inflammation. If one is suffering from tonsillitis, they may experience symptoms such as muscle pain and whitening or yellowing of the tonsils.
- Fever: Scarlet or rheumatic fever may develop if sore throat is left untreated. Rheumatic fever is caused due to streptococcus bacteria and develops into severe health conditions such as joint pains and heart complications. Scarlet fever is caused by the streptococcus bacteria and can be treated very easily.
- Sinusitis: Because of the bacterial infection, mucus may get accumulated in the sinus sacs. This results in blocking of sinus sacs that results in health problems associated with sinusitis.
- Otitis: Throat infection may spread to the ears and results in ear infections such as the condition of ear inflammation, otitis.
- Fluid Retention: The lymph system aids in removing fluids from the body and sore throat afflicts the lymph nodes. Hence, there are chances of fluid retaining in the tissues of the body and leads to body swelling, called edema. This water retention is visible in legs and hands, but may develop in other parts of the body also.
- Lowering of Immune System: As streptococcus bacteria affects other parts of the body, immune system may become weak.
- Glomerulonephritis: Antibiotics decrease strep throat, infection as well as duration of the sore throat symptoms. However, acute glomerulonephritis develops if antibodies against bacteria remain in the kidney.
- Infection of Other Body Parts: If sore throat is left untreated, the bacterial infection may spread to other body parts such as tissues surrounding the throat and tonsils.
- Contagiousness: In early stage, strep throat is very contagious. But, if it is left untreated, it may spread and causes infection in others.
