A sore throat that is similar to that caused by strep throat can be caused by an infection of the mouth and throat caused by yeast or Candida. Here we talk about these two similar ailments and when to call our doctor for oral infections in Costa del Sol.
What is Strep Throat?
Streptococcus pyogenes, also referred to as group A streptococcus, is the bacterium that causes strep throat, which is an infection of the throat. Strep throat is a common name for this condition because one of the most prominent symptoms of it is a sore throat. Strep throat can be caused by a number of different bacteria. It is unusual for children younger than 3 years old to have strep throat, as this condition typically affects children between the ages of 5 and 15.
What symptoms do people typically exhibit when they have strep throat?
A sore throat appears out of nowhere and quickly. There is a possibility that the child will all of a sudden begin to feel ill. Pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, headache, fever (with or without chills), and vomiting are possible later stages of this condition that can develop.
Upon examination, the child's throat may be red, and they may have tonsils that are red and enlarged, as well as pus patches in some cases. It's possible that you'll notice some red spots in the area at the back of the roof of your mouth. It's possible that the lymph nodes in the neck may be swollen and painful.
Is there a connection between a yeast infection and strep throat?
A sore throat that is similar to that caused by strep throat can be caused by an infection of the mouth and throat caused by yeast or Candida. However, a throat infection caused by yeast does not lead to strep throat in most cases.
People who have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or who have recently received treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids are more likely to develop thrush, which is an infection caused by yeast in the throat. It can manifest in people of any age, including infants, if the mother had a vaginal thrush at the time of delivery and the baby was delivered vaginally.
Both thrush and strep throat are caused by different organisms, despite the fact that they can have similar symptoms and even look similar to one another.
What symptoms are associated with a sore throat that is caused by yeast?
An infection caused by yeast in the throat can begin suddenly or gradually. It's possible that someone with a mild case of strep throat could confuse these symptoms for that condition. The mucosa of the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth, as well as the tongue and tonsils, all have white patches on them. Moreover, there are areas of white on the tonsils. You could have patches that have a cheese-like elevation to them. Because of the pain, it could be difficult for you to consume or swallow food. As you scrape away the patches, you could find some bleeding places. The loss of taste in the mouth becomes more noticeable. In most cases, there is no enlargement of the lymph nodes.
How does an infection caused by Strep Throat differ from an infection caused by Yeast?
The bacteria that cause strep throat are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, allowing the infection to spread from person to person. It can also spread when people share food or drinks, as well as when they touch things that are contaminated. Yeast is normally found in our bodies, but when our immune systems are compromised, it can become overactive, which can result in infections.
Yeast can cause a condition known as thrush, which manifests as white patches throughout the mouth. Strep throat, on the other hand, causes patches to appear primarily on the tonsils and red spots to appear on the roof of the back of the mouth. When someone has a yeast infection, pus points on the tonsils are not typically visible. In contrast, a yeast infection may last for weeks or even months, whereas strep throat often clears up in a week or two, regardless of whether or not treatment is administered.
Antibiotics may lessen the intensity of the symptoms, but they only cut the length of the infection by one day. For a yeast infection of the throat, antifungal medication and vitamins are both necessary treatments.
When to call our doctor for oral infections in Costa del Sol
Call our doctor for oral infections in Costa del Sol if you suspect you have oral thrush or strep throat. If your doctor diagnoses you with strep throat, they will likely give you an antibiotic.
Oral thrush should go away on its own within two weeks if your immune system is not damaged in any way. Contact us if you are immunocompromised or if you have an underlying medical condition. The following are some symptoms that might be considered potential warning signs:
- Thrush-like lesions that do not heal
- Swallowing issues or discomfort
- Symptoms of thrush and an underlying illness, such as HIV