Causes Causes and risk factors for strep throat Anyone can get strep throat. However, you are more likely to get sick if: e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f8680990-9d38-4dc6-b142-18387823c188 You are between the ages of 5 and 15 Winter or early spring tends to bring large groups of people together in closed environments, spreading germs. Strep throat is contagious, and if you come into close contact with someone who is infected, you are very likely to get infected. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d75ce6b7-a842-4c1d-a56f-3bcaaf35c065 According to pediatrician Nipnee S. Rajapaksa, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., streptococcal infections are commonly spread not only in schools and day care centers, but also in households with multiple children. “In households, you may be sharing eating utensils and drinks,” Dr. Rajapaksa points out. “It’s not uncommon to see two children in the same family suffering from similar symptoms at the same time.” While it’s less common for adults to contract strep throat, it’s not impossible, especially if they work in a school or child care facility. “We know that adults who work closely with children are more susceptible and more likely to be infected than the general population,” says Rajapaksa. Preventing streptococcal pharyngitis Strep throat is highly contagious. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, bacteria spread through droplets in the air. You can get strep throat by touching a surface that has bacteria on it, such as a doorknob, and then transferring the bacteria to your eyes, nose, or mouth. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293dc0ae3a-5d11-4f9e-99f1-a93ea6236763 You must wash your hands and your children’s hands to stay healthy. Do this regularly, especially after coughing or sneezing, and before preparing or eating meals. Carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you when you go out to kill germs. Glasses, utensils, and dishes should also be washed after they have been used by the sick person. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f6ab9814-2b97-4b2b-b494-7cec2f7005b3 When you are sick, taking antibiotics prescribed by your doctor reduces the risk of: transmission.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e17c2e61-2ce3-4c3c-b978-4d2328255f25 “If you take antibiotics before you can no longer get a streptococcal infection, it will take about 24 We know it will take time. Please be especially careful during that period,” says Mr. Rajapaksa. In practice, this means staying home from school, daycare, or work until you no longer pose a danger to others. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e17c2e61-2ce3-4c3c-b978-4d2328255f25 While you are contagious, that means remembering to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands frequently and avoid kissing. Streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial infection that causes a sore and tingling sensation in the throat. Although strep throat is prevalent in school-age children, it is not the most common cause of sore throat. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629329566ae-a72e-437f-ae62-7e52f1ad05ce It is much more likely that the cause is a viral infection. Although a sore throat may resolve on its own without treatment, it is important to get tested for strep throat if you suspect it may be the cause of your symptoms. It can lead to complications such as abscesses near the tonsils, infection of the lymph nodes, and a serious inflammatory condition called rheumatic fever. It is a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus. It causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat with white spots on the tonsils. It is treated with antibiotics (usually penicillin or amoxicillin) to help eliminate the infection and reduce the risk of complications. Prompt treatment is important because if left untreated, streptococcal infections can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic fever. Types of streptococcal infections The most common cause of streptococcal infections is group A streptococcus, which causes streptococcal infections. However, streptococci from groups B, C, and G can also cause illness. Group B streptococci can be found in the vagina or rectum of pregnant women. Although the infection is usually harmless to adults, it can be transmitted to newborns during childbirth and cause a serious illness known as group B streptococcal infection. These streptococcal strains are more likely to live in certain animals, such as horses and cows. Humans can become infected with group C and G streptococci by drinking raw milk or coming into contact with infected animals. With proper treatment, strep throat usually clears up within 10 days. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290c5a9fe9-e528-4258-867a-66660c37cc90 Antibiotics usually relieve symptoms within a day. two.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f49f68c2-56fc-46bb-9220-6e8c7f159994 Diagnosis How is strep throat diagnosed? If you or your child suspect that you have strep throat, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292a7895bb-bf9a-4738-a91c-3cc9835fa518 Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of strep throat. The only way a doctor can diagnose strep throat is to perform a rapid antigen test or throat culture. Both methods involve taking a sterile cotton swab and swabbing the back of your throat and tonsils to collect a sample of your secretions. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292a7895bb-bf9a-4738-a91c-3cc9835fa518 Your doctor will usually run a rapid antigen test first. This test can detect streptococcus in minutes by looking for substances (antigens) in the throat. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292a7895bb-bf9a-4738-a91c-3cc9835fa518 If your test is negative and your doctor still suspects strep, your next step may be throat. culture.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292a7895bb-bf9a-4738-a91c-3cc9835fa518 Some doctors may perform both tests at the same time based on local protocols. A sample taken from the back of the throat is cultured in a laboratory to determine the presence of bacteria. Throat culture results may take up to 2 days. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292a7895bb-bf9a-4738-a91c-3cc9835fa518 Symptoms Signs and symptoms of strep throat Symptoms of strep throat include: Below:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629add44bd0-106c-4b4b-8650-41f5270448b7 Sore throat Red and swollen tonsils White spots at the back of the throat Fever Nausea Headache Body pain Skin rash Many of these symptoms overlap with those of viral infections. If you have any of these symptoms along with a runny nose or cough, you most likely have a viral infection, such as a cold. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d9e166d0-9735-4d4b-899f-bce6ea2ec106 These symptoms may overlap with those of strep throat. New coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is caused by a type of coronavirus. A sore throat caused by a cold often gets better or disappears within a day or two. Strep throat infections often cause persistent and more severe sore throats. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298b2a88f1-a397-4890-9b74-00c7848add5e Bronchitis, a lower respiratory tract infection caused by cold and flu viruses, is often accompanied by a sore throat. If you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms, it is best to see your doctor for a diagnosis. Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Throat Steps Cleveland Clinic: Strep Infection or Just a Sore Throat? Here’s How to Tell the Difference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Strep Throat American Academy of Family Physicians: Strep Throat Harvard Health Publishing: Strep Throat: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Treatment Treatments and Medication Options for Strep Throat Strep throat is very treatable with prescription medications. Over-the-counter medications and home remedies can help relieve symptoms but cannot cure the underlying infection. Medication Options Strep throat is a bacterial infection and requires antibiotics. Common antibiotics include penicillin (Bicillin LA) and amoxicillin (Amoxil), which can be taken orally or by injection. Take all medications to completely kill the bacteria and prevent complications. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290b27bc08-d437-4994-ac9b-03a6f214eeb6 In addition to antibiotics, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can help relieve pain. Smoking throat lozenges can also provide temporary relief. Simple solutions like drinking tea with honey and lemon or gargling with warm salt water can relieve symptoms and even reduce swelling. Pain too. You can also use a vaporizer or humidifier, which adds moisture to the air. This will soothe a dry, sore throat and relieve nasal congestion. This can occur if the bacteria spreads to other parts of the body, causing what is called an invasive infection. Complications include: e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290ef9311e-a7d1-4f2a-bb0e-7b00654b6076 Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils Swollen lymph nodes in the neck Sinus infections Ear infections Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney disease) Untreated streptococcal pharyngitis can also lead to rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is a rare but serious infectious disease that can cause damage to the heart (rheumatic heart disease). The link between streptococcal infections and rheumatic fever is not clear, but the bacteria appear to trick the immune system. The body’s immune system, which normally targets bacteria, instead attacks its own tissues, particularly those of the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system. As a result, inflammation and swelling can last for weeks or months.
