Download Strep Throat

Topic Overview
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tissues in the back of
the throat and the tonsils. The tissues become irritated and
inflamed, causing a sudden, severe sore throat.
What causes strep throat?
Strep throat is caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria. There are many different
strains of strep bacteria, some of which cause more serious illness than others.
The type of strep that most commonly infects the throat is called group A betahemolytic streptococcus (GABS). Other types that can sometimes infect the
throat are groups C and G strep bacteria.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of strep throat are a sudden, severe sore throat;
pain or difficulty swallowing; fever over 101° (38.3°); swollen tonsils and lymph
nodes; and white or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat. Strep
infection may also cause a headache and abdominal pain. Less commonly, strep
throat can cause a red skin rash, vomiting, loss of appetite, and a general feeling
of discomfort or illness.
The incubation period—the period from when you are first exposed to the
bacteria until you develop symptoms—is 2 to 5 days.
You are considered contagious (able to spread the infection to others) while you
still have symptoms; you are usually no longer contagious within 24 to 48 hours
after starting antibiotics. However, if you do not seek treatment for strep throat,
you may continue to be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks even if your symptoms go
away.
In general, sore throats are most often caused by a viral infection and not strep
bacteria. Strep throat does not occur with coldlike symptoms such as coughing,
sneezing, or a runny or stuffy nose. The more coldlike symptoms you have, the
less likely it is that your sore throat is a strep infection.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
Strep throat is diagnosed with a physical examination, medical history, and a
rapid strep test. A throat culture is sometimes done to confirm the results of the
rapid strep test.
How is it treated?
Strep throat will go away in 3 to 7 days with or without treatment. However, strep
throat is still treated with antibiotics even if they do not speed recovery.
Antibiotics kill the strep bacteria, shorten the time you are contagious, and
reduce the risk of complications, such as the infection spreading to other parts of
your body. Antibiotics are effective in relieving symptoms of strep throat only if
they are given within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms begin. 1
Your health professional also may also recommend nonprescription medications
to relieve pain and discomfort and reduce fever caused by strep throat.