Health

By Ailing Chen, MD
Pediatrics, Caughman Health Center

Acute strep pharyngitis, commonly known as strep throat, is a bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils. It is caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium that can be easily spread through contact with an infected person's saliva or nasal secretions. 

However, viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. Experts estimate that group A strep, the most common bacterial cause, causes 20 to 30 percent of pharyngitis episodes in children. In comparison, experts estimate it causes approximately five to 15 percent of pharyngitis infections in adults.

What are the symptoms for strep throat?
The most common symptoms of strep throat include sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and white or yellow spots on the back of the throat or tonsils. Other symptoms may include headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting — especially among children. Rash on face or around the neck may be present with strep infection in some children, which is called scarlet fever. 

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

Julie Andrews was the beloved Mary Poppins in the 1964 Walt Disney film. One of the songs is A Spoonful of Sugar to encourage the children to take a daunting task and make it fun.  Interestingly, Julie Andrews was not a fan of the original work titled The Eyes of Love. Disney asked Richard and Robert Sherman to rearrange the song into a snappier version.  

Robert Sherman got the idea after realizing his children received their polio vaccine. He asked if the polio shot hurt. The children were a bit startled since they reported the vaccine was in a sugar cube. The inspiration was born.

I remember standing in the school hallway waiting for my sugar cube with the vaccine. You may be thinking this article is about taking your medicine appropriately. Although a great topic, I will save it for another day. I want to discuss sugar!

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