Strep Throat...Exposure, should I do something?

Indigoblue

Teacher husband has been ill, not certain when it started.
Had an ear infection, started teaching...was sick but not really; then went to his family's for the labor day weekend, and I talked him into going to a Urgent Care Center, who diagnosed him with Strep Infections...
Lovely. He exposed his mother (cancer and diabetes), me, and who knows without ever knowing he was sick.

Is there anything I can do to prevent occurance? Or to tell his mother? Darn it, I knew he was sicker that he was willing to admit and as most men will always deny, "I'm not sick, don't need a doctor..."

Well, my house is a mess, I am a mess, and he is back, thank goodness. He's on antibiotics, and taking a few days off so he won't infect the kids at school...meanwhile I think I'm feeling a cold coming on and I still have my tonsiles. Apparantly, Rheumatic Fever, Scarlet Fever, and all kinds of organisisms will attack one whose immune system is compromised.

I plan to call the doctor tomorrow, but though someone might have suggestions...the docs have a way of always making me feel like I am overdoing the immunity weakness after cancer, chemo, rads, and anemia, not to mention the crap we don't know about.

Thanks for any insights...outsights, or otherwise.

Not well, not good, not happy.

Indi

KimRI

Hi,
I've been on chemo weekly for 16mths. for a recurrence and caught strep from my daughter this past winter. I had a WICKED sore throat and ran a fever. I went and had the strep test at a walk-in clinic on a Saturday. They checked my counts first(not sure if it would matter if I had low white/red) and put me on antibiotics. I can't remember for how long. Maybe 10 days. They gave me a paper showing that I had come in there and I had to give it to my Onc.

Kim

KimRI

Forgot to add that if it is strep, make sure you throw out your toothbrush after you have completed 24hrs. of antibiotic. I forgot to do that with my daughter and she got it right back after she finished her 14days of antibiotics!!!!
Kim

leaf

This source claims that after 24 h of being on an effective antibiotic, you should not be able to transmit the infection.

"Transmission of strep throat

You can get strep throat and other group A strep infections by direct contact with saliva or nasal discharge from an infected person. Most people do not get group A strep infections from casual contact with others, but a crowded environment like a dormitory, school, or an institutional setting such as a nursing home can make it easier for the bacteria to spread. There have also been reports of contaminated food, especially milk and milk products, causing infection. You can get sick within 3 days after being exposed to the germ. Once infected, you can pass the infection to others for up to 2 to 3 weeks even if you don't have symptoms. After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, you will no longer spread the germs to others."

"If you have a strep infection, your health care provider will prescribe an antibiotic. This will help reduce symptoms, and after 24 hours of taking the medicine, you will no longer be able to spread the infection to others. Treatment will also reduce the chance of complications.

Health experts think penicillin is the best medicine for treating strep throat because it has been proven to be effective, safe, and inexpensive. Your health care provider may have you take pills for 10 days or give you a shot. If you are allergic to penicillin there are other antibiotics your health care provider can give you to clear up the illness.

During treatment, you may start to feel better within 4 days. This can happen even without treatment. Still, it is very important to finish all your medicine to prevent complications. " http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (this website is dated 2005.)

Indigoblue

Thanks so much for your replies. Very helpful information, and Leaf, that's a great site. Also has some addition sites for Diabetics listed there (very worried about MIL).

Had no idea cellulitis is a Strep A nor that Strep Infections can cause lymphedema...and a lot of other horrible diseases. With weakened immune systems I think everyone should read this...and wear gloves, use antibacterial gel, wash hands frequently, and avoid public places at least until blood tests are showing good results.

Yikes...
thanks and ((hugs))

Indi

leaf

Hope your DH gets better soon, and no one else gets it.
Cellulitis just means your skin/soft tissue is infected - it does not specify what organism is doing the infecting.

Some common causes of cellulitis include Strep group A and other groups, the notorious Staphlococcus aureus (which is getting more and more resistant to even really expensive antibiotics that work less and less well), etc.

Get better soon.

Indigoblue

Read in the local news today that schools are closing, hospitals on a "watch", and to be aware of any or all symptoms for STAPH Infections of the skin. 

What's a poor girl to do?  What and how does one avoid this stuff?

Yikes!

Indi