Strep Throat and the Holiday Season

'Tis the season to be sickly. It may be called the most wonderful time of the year, yet it's still a mystery how there is so much cheer coupled with so much contagion in the air.

Nevertheless, don't let germs be the reason you won't give Gram-Gram some holiday sugar. While sicknesses like strep throat and the flu seem to be at an all-time high during the colder times of year, nothing should ever discourage from the family love.

That's why we here at CPR Savers look to the experts at the CDC for tips on how we can keep ourselves healthy and safe from the sore throat that makes eating any homecooked meal unpleasant. As always, we've got your back with the simplified version of their reports because we know you need to get back to your Black Friday route planning.

If you don't know what strep throat is, I personally envy you for never having to endure this hellacious ailment. It starts with tiny bacteria known as Streptococcus or group A strep. These bacteria love to travel and have all the frequent flyer miles.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic tell us that this sickness travels through airborne sneezes and coughs, so let's make sure we're using the new-age inside elbow mouth cover technique to ensure full blockage of these tenacious germs. Using the inner elbow eliminates the fear of surfaces being touched with saliva-saturated hands. But it's only effective if enough people do it, so spread the word.

You also want to avoid sharing food or beverages with others. So no, Uncle John shouldn't be finishing your holiday ham. Of course, none of this will guarantee 100% immunity. If it did, you could be you'd catch me in an adjusted tricep stretch everywhere.

It's always best to leave the diagnosing to the professionals. However, diagnosing strep by sight is not a talent they teach in med school, as it's very hard to determine one ailment from another with such common symptoms. You should expect to have a swab test if you visit your doctor for a strep scare.

Strep symptoms align with the expected sick traits you'd go see a doctor for anyway. Here are the most common signs for a strep carrier:

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Tiny red spots
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swollen tonsil

There is a silver lining for adults. Only 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat actually have strep while 3 in 10 children typically turn out to be blighted with it. That translates to a lot of parents that have to deal with their kid asking Santa Claus for the cure to strep throat. (How do you put that under the Christmas tree?)

So be sure to cover those sneezes and avoid heavily populated areas. Try to wear gloves when appropriate and maybe call a baby sitter instead of using day care. This season will be one of the most infectious yet, so let's put an end to strep! Brush up on your facts at the links below and don't forget to get safety and health supplies on our website. Free shipping for all orders of $99. That'll get you enough hand sanitizer for the next year!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mayo Clinic

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