How Is Strep Throat Treated
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. These drugs shorten the time you’re able to spread the disease, and they lower the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of your body. Antibiotics may help you feel better faster. Taking an over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen can help relieve pain and reduce fever.
How To Know If You Have Black Mold In Your House
Mold isnt always visible. If you can see mold, its only a sign of the real potential health risk, which is the harmful types of unhealthy levels of mold in the air of your home or workplace.
Airborne mold is all around us in both the outdoors and indoors. The types and amount of mold is what determines the potential health risk. Most of us are typically accustomed to the varieties and amounts of mold present in our outdoor environments.
Healthy indoor environments will have mold conditions similar to or better than those in the surrounding outdoors. Over time, because of moisture , many indoor spaces develop unhealthy types and/or unhealthy levels of airborne mold that can be harmful to you or your pets.
These signs will help you know if you possibly have unhealthy mold conditions in your house:
- Allergic symptoms
- A damp or musty odor in one or more places
- Frequent headaches
- The air in the home feels different
- Your house has been flooded or currently has leaks
- You previously tried removing mold yourself
Take note of how you feel in and out of the house. If the symptoms disappear or decrease when youre out and about, then you might have a mold problem, yes, even if you cant see mold.
What Mold Looks Like
Molds are a type of fungus and can look like their fungal cousins, mushrooms and yeasts. Outdoors, molds can be seen gobbling up the dead organic matter on decomposing surfaces like fallen leaves and rotting logs indoors, house mold thrives in wet, humid environments like bathrooms and basements or anywhere that has recently flooded. There are thousands of types of mold, and their appearance can vary depending on the type of mold and where its growing.
The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum , is also sometimes found in homes and other buildings. This greenish-black growth can grow on fiberboard, paper, dust, and lint, particularly in areas that may have recently flooded or suffered other types of water damage. While black mold can certainly look scary, the CDC says that Stachybotrys chartarum isnt any more harmful than other types of mold.
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Diagnosis Of Group A Streptococcal Infection
For cases of pharyngitis and scarlet fever, the routine method of diagnosis is identification of the organism from a throat swab. Blood tests may also be ordered. Impetigo is diagnosed by taking a swab of the blisters or crust of sores and checking for the presence of bacteria.Toxic shock syndrome is diagnosed by examining symptoms and in some cases, by taking blood tests.
How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Mold is very common in homes and buildings.
One 2017 study found mold in every public building studied, with an average of about 14 instances of mold per building.
Another involving 31 European countries found mold in 1 in 6 homes. The author noted that the prevalence of mold may vary greatly depending on the regional climate.
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How To Prevent Mold
Whether you just got rid of the mold or you dont ever want to see it in your house you need to know the mold prevention rules. To prevent mold from appearing in your house:
Small investments in prevention can go long waysand keep a lot of cash in your pocket!
Why Mold Causes Problems
Molds alone dont usually cause many health problems. Its when they land on damp surfaces and reproduce that you feel their nasty health effects.
Mold spores produce allergens substances that can cause you to have allergic reactions resulting in hay-fever-like symptoms: itchy, red eyes, runny nose and asthma. If these persist, you can develop respiratory infections. Its rare, but exposure to mold spores can eventually cause organ damage, cognitive difficulties and even death.
Whats more, mold spores can irritate your lungs even if youre not allergic to mold. When introduced to your body, spores irritate your airways in your nose, mouth and throat, Dr. Ibrahim says. They can also cause burning and bleeding if they become lodged in your mucus membranes, such as in your sinuses and lungs.
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Mold Exposure And Your Health
Most people automatically assume mold exposure, especially black mold exposure, causes poor health. But thats not always the case, says Lahari Rampur, M.D., who practices at the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Clinic at UW Medical Center.
There are hundreds of types of mold that do not cause any symptoms at all, and not all mold is bad, she says.
The symptoms of mold exposure, which appear like allergy symptoms , generally only occur if you have an allergy to mold. If you have an underlying condition that compromises your immune system, severe mold and fungal infections can occur. In rare cases, a type of mold hypersensitivity that causes lung disease can present with severe asthma-like symptoms, such as coughing, difficulty breathing and chest tightness, which are difficult to control with regular asthma medications, says Rampur.
You can find out if you are allergic to molds by scheduling an allergy skin test with an allergist. In some cases, blood tests may be needed if there is a strong suspicion you have a mold allergy but the skin tests are normal. If both tests find no evidence of a mold allergy, your provider will ask you to clean all visible mold out of your home and reassess the cause if symptoms continue, says Rampur.
Black Mold Exposure Can Damage Your Circulatory System
Black mold spores can be inhaled, consumed, or absorbed through a persons skin or eyes. When mycotoxins find their way into the bloodstream, mycotoxins have the potential to cause serious damage.
Symptoms of circulatory system damage from black mold include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Bleeding in the brain
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Home
Mold should be removed as quickly as possible.
To clean mold off hard surfaces, such as tile, scrub with soap and water, commercial products, or use bleach. To make a bleach solution, mix 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. When cleaning with bleach, be sure to protect your skin and eyes, and allow for plenty of ventilation.
You may not be able to save porous or absorbent materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpeting. Once theyve become soaked or are growing mold, they generally need to be removed and replaced.
For big mold problems, consider hiring a professional cleaning company experienced in removing mold. If its not completely cleaned, it can start growing again. For that reason, its important to fix the source of the problem as well.
If your home has a lot of mold and you have health concerns, ask your doctor if you should stay away until the situation is remedied.
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Children With Group A Streptococcal Infection
If your child develops group A streptococcal infection, including scarlet fever or impetigo:
- keep them away from childrens settings such childcare centres or school until your child has received at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and they feel well
- ensure your child completes the entire course of antibiotics
- if your child has impetigo, the child can return to school after commencing antibiotic treatment. Make sure all exposed sores are covered with a watertight dressing.
Watery Or Irritated Eyes
When allergens are present, the body releases histamines as part of its immune response. This histamine release is what causes the eyes to water excessively when exposed to toxins from mold.
This reaction from histamine may be the bodys way of flushing out allergens and toxins. It can serve as a warning to you that your environment may contain dangerous black mold.
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Prevention And Patient Resources
After major flooding or other exposure to water damage and mold, talk with your immunocompromised patients about how to protect themselves from mold:
- Mold grows where there is moisture, usually within 24-48 hours of flooding. Even if it is not visible, it is often present.
- Immunocompromised people should not enter moldy buildings or help clean up mold.
- If it is impossible for people with weakened immune systems to avoid a moldy building, they should talk with their doctor and consider wearing an N-95 respirator inside the building. Remind patients that this will still not fully protect them from becoming exposed to mold, but may reduce their risk.
For more information on mold cleanup, refer patients to the following CDC resources, or provide them with a printed copy:
Can Mold Cause A Sore Throat
Mold is often characterized as the omnipresent allergen. It hides in damp places and causes many people who suffer from allergies to ask questions like, Can mold cause a sore throat? Can mold cause your throat to swell? and even Can mold cause swallowing problems?
Unfortunately, the answer to the question like these is yes.
Mold grows anywhere there is moisture or high humidity levels. It comes in a range of colors and causes a range of side effects in individuals who have mold allergies. The good news is there are several ways to eradicate mold and to treat your mold-allergy symptoms.
If you have been asking yourself, Can mold cause a sore throat? then rest assured that we are here to help. Lets review why mold may be the culprit behind your sore throat, where mold could be hiding, and ways to treat mold allergies.
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Can Mold Cause Sore Throat In A 3 Year Old Child
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Can Mold Cause A Sore Throat Yes But You Can Stop It
Dr. Michael Kaplan and the specialists at Kaplan Sinus Relief are frequently asked questions like Can mold cause a sore throat? and Does sinus surgery help allergies? We are here to provide our patients with personalized care for your allergies.
Ready to experience relief? Let our team help find a treatment that works for you. Visit Kaplan Sinus Relief online to request an appointment or give us a call at 713-766-1818 today.
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So Mold Can Cause Sore Throats What About Strep Throats
Can mold cause strep throat?
Simply speaking, mold is not known to cause strep throat weve established that strep throat is brought about by Streptococcal bacteria.
Take note though, the mold growth in your home may very well become a breeding ground for this type of bacteria.
To keep you and your family safe from making contact with Streptococcal bacteria, make sure that you arent inviting mold spores into your home, through following these simple steps:
- Check for leaks in your kitchen and bathroom often mold loves moisture!
- Shut the windows and doors leading outside to physically prevent mold spores from coming into your home.
- Consider installing a dehumidifier to regulate the amount of humidity in your indoor air environment.
There are a number of ways you can discourage mold growth in your home, and having read the symptoms of strep throat, its better to be safe than sorry.
Treating A Chronic Cough Caused By Mold
Throat lozenges can soothe a cough. So can hot tea with honey. Your doctor can prescribe a cough suppressant if constant coughing keeps you up at night, but often doctors prefer not to suppress a cough because coughing serves a purpose. Coughing helps to remove irritants, debris, excessive mucous, and fluids from the lungs and airways, and removing these things from your airways is a good thing. Thats why doctors sometimes prescribe expectorants instead of cough suppressants, which help thin the mucous or fluids in the lungs and airways to help you cough it up. If youre coughing due to an infection like pneumonia, you may be prescribed antibiotics, as well. However, even with treatment, youll probably continue to cough as long as you continue to suffer exposure to mold.
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Other Common Indoor Molds
- eye irritation
- skin irritation
If youre allergic to mold, your symptoms may be more severe, such as lung irritation.
According to the CDC, in 2004, the Institute of Medicine found sufficient evidence linking indoor mold, and damp indoor environments in general, with:
- upper respiratory symptoms in healthy people
- asthma symptoms in people who have asthma
- hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible people
Limited evidence suggests a link between exposure to mold and damp indoor environments and:
- respiratory illness in healthy children
- potential development of asthma in susceptible people
In 2009, the World Health Organization also reported a suggested link between early exposure to mold and development of asthma in children, especially those who are genetically susceptible to asthma.
A 2017 report found no scientific evidence that black mold exposure leads to:
- autoimmune disease
- infant pulmonary hemorrhage
- memory loss
Aspergillus fumigatus can cause a serious reaction in some people, especially those with asthma or cystic fibrosis. This condition is called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Symptoms may include:
- fever
- cough, possibly with blood or mucus
- worsening symptoms of asthma
If you have emphysema, tuberculosis, or advanced sarcoidosis, lung cavities can be infected with Aspergillus. This causes a condition called aspergilloma, with symptoms such as:
- a cough, sometimes with blood
- fatigue
- weight loss
- wheezing
What Are Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds
Another source of irritation from mold exposure comes from substances knownas microbial volatile organic compounds . These compounds are producedthrough fungal metabolism and are released directly into the air, often givingoff strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to mVOCs from molds can irritate theeyes and respiratory system and has been linked to symptoms such as headaches,dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea. The effects of mVOCs are notcompletely understood and research is still in the early stages.
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Treating Tonsillitis And Strep Throat
1. Tonsillitis
The way tonsillitis is treated is similar to how a common cold is handled. The treatments are often aimed at relieving the symptoms since it is ultimately up to the patient’s immune system to fight off the infection.
Patients might be prescribed medication to relieve the pain caused by the fever and any inflammation caused by the disease. The patient might also be given vitamins to boost their immune system.
Other simple things that can be done to alleviate the symptoms of strep throat and tonsillitis include:
Health Symptoms That Can Be Caused By Mold In Your House
Mold doesnt bother everyone. In fact, out of thousands of mold species, only a few dozen will trigger any health problems at all, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Still, some of us are sensitive to molds. People who are allergic to an indoor mold can experience year-round symptoms like a sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, and more for those who also have asthma, mold can trigger an asthma attack. People with a weakened immune system or a chronic lung condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can develop a serious infection in the lungs if theyre exposed to mold.
People without allergies and asthma arent immune to the effects: In 2004, the Institute of Medicine concluded that people without pre-existing lung conditions can also experience symptoms like nasal congestion and a sore throat if they live in a house with damp floors or moisture accumulation.
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