Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection caused mainly by Streptococcus pyogenes, a type of bacteria that spreads easily from person to person. It can cause a severe sore throat, fever, white patches in the throat, swollen tonsils, trouble swallowing, and loss of appetite.
Symptoms of strep throat often appear suddenly and may be more intense than symptoms of a common cold or flu. Unlike many viral infections, strep throat usually does not cause a cough or runny nose, which can help distinguish it from other illnesses.
Strep throat should be diagnosed and treated promptly to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Diagnosis may include a throat swab, and treatment can involve antibiotics, pain relievers, fever reducers, and soft foods.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of strep throat are:
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Severe sore throat that starts quickly;
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Red throat with pus, which may appear as white patches at the back of the throat;
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Trouble swallowing and pain when swallowing;
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Red, swollen tonsils;
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Fever between 101.3ºF and 103.1ºF;
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Headache;
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Nausea and vomiting;
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Pain in the abdomen and the rest of the body;
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Loss of appetite;
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Skin rash;
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Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck.
People with strep throat usually do not have a cough or runny nose, which can help distinguish it from symptoms of the common flu.
Confirming a diagnosis
Strep throat is diagnosed by a doctor based on the person’s signs and symptoms, along with a physical exam and throat evaluation.
The doctor may also order a throat swab test to confirm the cause of the symptoms and choose the most appropriate treatment.
Transmission of strep throat
Strep throat spreads easily through droplets of saliva. For this reason, a person can catch the infection by:
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Breathing in infected droplets, especially after someone who is sick coughs or sneezes;
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Drinking from the same glass or eating from the same plate as someone who is sick;
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Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face.
Symptoms usually appear suddenly and intensely about 2 to 5 days after contact with the infectious microorganism. They may go away after 1 week when the infection is treated correctly.
How treatment is done
Treatment for strep throat should follow the recommendations of a general practitioner or infectious disease specialist, and may include:
1. Use of antibiotics
In general, the main antibiotics recommended are penicillin or amoxicillin. They should be used exactly as directed by the doctor, even if symptoms go away before treatment is finished.
In more severe cases, when the doctor identifies other sites of infection, antibiotic treatment directly into a vein may be recommended. Learn about antibiotics for sore throat that your doctor can prescribe.
2. Use of pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medicines, and fever reducers
Anti-inflammatory medicines, pain relievers, and/or fever reducers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help reduce throat inflammation, relieve pain, and lower fever. These medicines may be recommended by the doctor to help relieve symptoms.
3. Soft foods
Because eating can be difficult due to loss of appetite and pain when swallowing, it is important for the person to eat, preferably soft foods. This helps prevent malnutrition and supports the body in fighting the microorganism, since food helps strengthen the immune system. Read more about what to eat with a sore throat to reduce pain and discomfort.