Strep throat on the rise; How to treat the disease and know if you have strep throat

This news might be hard to swallow.

Cases of Streptococcal A, better known as Strep A, are skyrocketing across Japan, according to the Japan Times.

Last year there were 941 confirmed cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome, and this year there's already been 378 confirmed cases as of March 1.

How do you get strep throat?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, you can get strep throat through respiratory droplets or direct contact. And it usually takes two to five days after exposure to develop strep throat.

Symptoms of strep throat in children

According to the CDC, strep throat symptoms include fever, pain when swallowing, sore throat that started very quickly, red and swollen tonsils, what patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils, tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.

Does strep throat cause coughing?

Not usually. If you have strep throat, it will not be accompanied by a cough.

How to know if you have strep throat

The best way to know if you have strep throat is to get tested. A test can be conducted by swabbing the throat and running a test. The rapid test will tell you in a few minutes if you have it.

How to treat strep throat

Patients will usually be prescribed with antibiotics if they test positive. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours to see improvement. Patients should stay home from work or school until they no longer have a fever.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: How do you get strep throat? Here's how to fight the illness