Bakterijska Angina

Customer question:

Is purulent angina the same as bacterial angina? Anonymous customer's question

Pharmacist's answer:

Bacterial angina is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by bacteria, most often streptococci. In addition to pus on the tonsils, bacterial angina can cause other symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and general malaise.

Is bacterial angina contagious?

Bacterial angina is a contagious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another. Bacterial angina is most often transmitted by the droplet route, which means the bacteria can be spread by respiratory secretions produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking.

Various microorganisms can cause bacterial angina, but it is most often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcal bacteria.

Infection usually occurs when a healthy person is exposed to secretions or tiny droplets containing bacteria and inhales or comes into contact with them. Bacterial angina is particularly contagious in the first few days after the infection begins when the symptoms are most pronounced.

Proper hygiene measures, such as frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people, covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding sharing personal items such as cups, cutlery, or towels, are essential to prevent the spread of bacterial angina. Antibiotic treatment is also crucial to preventing the further spread of the infection and speeding up recovery. Interesting reading: Angina pectoris.

What causes bacterial angina?

An infection with the Streptococcus pyogenes usually causes bacterial angina, also called group A streptococcal bacteria. This bacterium is the most common cause of bacterial angina, but other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumonia, can also cause angina.

Infection with Streptococcus pyogenes is usually transmitted from one person to another through droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, or talking to an infected person. The bacteria can also be spread by direct contact with the saliva or respiratory secretions of an infected person or by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the bacteria. When bacteria enter the body, they can multiply and cause inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding tissues, leading to bacterial angina development.

How long after treatment for angina can we still be contagious?

After treatment of angina with appropriate antibiotics is usually no longer contagious, the exact time when a person is no longer contagious can vary depending on several factors, including the type of infection, the severity of symptoms, and the individual's immune response.

In bacterial angina, isolation and treatment with appropriate antibiotics are usually recommended for at least 24 to 48 hours after treatment is initiated to reduce the risk of further spread of infection. After this time, the person is usually less likely to be still contagious. However, continued adherence to proper hygiene, such as regular hand washing, is recommended to prevent possible contamination and spread of infection.

With viral angina or other types of angina, the length of time a person is no longer contagious depends on how quickly the symptoms go away and how quickly the immune system responds to the infection. As a rule, a person is less contagious with viral angina when the symptoms disappear. Still, caution and following hygiene measures are recommended for a few days afterward to prevent the spread of the infection.

Interesting reading: Angina Signs

Interesting reading: Bacterial Angina contagiousness