Strep Throat

What is Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Your health care provider may call the infection tonsillitis or pharyngitis, depending on whether there is swelling in the tonsils or at the back of the throat.

Strep throat is most common during the cold months of the year in children who are 5–15 years of age, but it can happen during any season in people of any age. This infection is spread from person to person (contagious) through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.

What are the causes?

Strep throat is caused by the bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in:

  • People who spend time in crowded places where the infection can spread easily.
  • People who have close contact with someone who has strep throat.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Fever or chills.
  • Redness, swelling, or pain in the tonsils or throat.
  • Pain or difficulty when swallowing.
  • White or yellow spots on the tonsils or throat.
  • Swollen, tender glands in the neck or under the jaw.
  • Red rash all over the body (rare).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed by performing a rapid strep test or by taking a swab of your throat (throat culture test). Results from a rapid strep test are usually ready in a few minutes, but throat culture test results are available after one or two days.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicine.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Take your antibiotic as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Have family members who also have a sore throat or fever tested for strep throat. They may need antibiotics if they have the strep infection.

Eating and drinking

  • Do not share food, drinking cups, or personal items that could cause the infection to spread to other people.
  • If swallowing is difficult, try eating soft foods until your sore throat feels better.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

General instructions

  • Gargle with a salt-water mixture 3–4 times per day or as needed. To make a salt-water mixture, completely dissolve ½–1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
  • Make sure that all household members wash their hands well.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Stay home from school or work until you have been taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • The glands in your neck continue to get bigger.
  • You develop a rash, cough, or earache.
  • You cough up a thick liquid that is green, yellow-brown, or bloody.
  • You have pain or discomfort that does not get better with medicine.
  • Your problems seem to be getting worse rather than better.
  • You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

  • You have new symptoms, such as vomiting, severe headache, stiff or painful neck, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
  • You have severe throat pain, drooling, or changes in your voice.
  • You have swelling of the neck, or the skin on the neck becomes red and tender.
  • You have signs of dehydration, such as fatigue, dry mouth, and decreased urination.
  • You become increasingly sleepy, or you cannot wake up completely.
  • Your joints become red or painful.
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