Untreated Strep Throat

Doctors used to say that strep throat would usually go away in 3 to 7 days, with or without treatment. However, there is new information that makes that casual attitude--obsolete. If you ignore the symptoms of strep throat and they become more serious, you can develop a condition called rheumatic fever.

Photo of strep throat is courtesy of basykes

Strep Throat Complications
Rheumatic Fever

If you received antibiotics as part of your treatment for strep throat , you will not get rheumatic fever. Only untreated strep throat will result in your getting it—and, in fact, it is pretty unusual for someone to get rheumatic fever. An attack of rheumatic fever can last for 3 months.

A person who has rheumatic fever will have some of these symptoms:

• Joints—wrists, elbows, knees, elbows, ankles—become swollen, red, and sore.
• High fever
• Fast heartbeat, especially when lying down
• Paleness of skin
• Shortness of breath
• Fluid retention – swollen ankles, fingers, etc.
• Red rash on the trunk—stomach, back, etc. The rash may come and go for weeks, or even months.

If you have any doubts about strept throat or rheumatic fever, you can always ask a question on doctors online advice . It might help to talk to a live online specialist who could help you sort out your symptoms.

Even though it comes as an aftermath to strept throat , unlike strep throat, rheumatic fever is not contagious. So you can't get it from someone who is ill with it.

Symptoms of rheumatic fever usually start 1-5 weeks after you have had a bout with strep. So it is important to be treated, as you can usually prevent rheumatic fever by taking antibiotics.

Other Serious Complications

• Scarlet fever - a serious illness in children that has seemed mild recently, and it was just considered to be strep throat with a rash. However, in the last couple of years, it has been more severe. Not to be taken lightly.

• Necrotiing fascitis - also known as . Strep bacteria invade the blood, muscles, fat tissue, and/or lungs. Strep enters the body through a cut or wound and rapidly destroys tissue. Doctors often must remove skin, muscles or even entire limbs to save a person's life.

• Toxic shock syndrome - causes a dangerous drop in blood pressure, shock, and damage to the kidneys, liver and lungs. This happens so fast that treatment often is too late to save the person.

• Untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever and can cause permanent damage to your heart and heart valves.

• The other reason is that, if you are not exactly sure what you have, you might have pandemic swine flu.

Swine flu can quickly turn severe, even within a few hours. And swine flu symptoms can easily be mistaken for something else, like strep throat, if you are not a medical professional.

In addition, the H1N1 pandemic flu is also best treated with antiviral flu medicines —within the first 48 hours. So it is best to stay on top of things and make sure that you know exactly what you have!

And make sure that you do not have untreated strep throat that progresses into another, very serious illness!

Keep in mind that, if it would give you peace of mind, you can consult with a doctor and get doctors online advice , usually within just a few minutes of asking your question.

Is Strep Throat Contagious?

Return to Virus Information

Home Remedies for Strep Throat

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