Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

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Updated On:December 15, 2023

What is Strep Throat?

Strep Throat is an inflammation of the tonsils and throat caused by Group A Streptococcus, a type of bacteria. Serious inflammation and a painful throat are symptoms of strep throat. A quick strep test or a throat culture are commonly used by medical professionals to make the diagnosis. Antibiotics are typically part of the treatment.

Causes of Strep Throat

Streptococcus pyogenes, often known as group A streptococcus, is the bacterium that causes strep throat.

The streptococcal bacteria spread readily. They can be spread through shared food or drinks, or through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be acquired via a doorknob or other surface and then transferred to your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

Strep throat often causes moderate symptoms, but it can be very painful.

Typical signs might include the following:

Fever
Pain Swallowing
A sore throat that may appear red
Tonsils with red and swelling
Pus-filled white streaks or spots on the tonsils
Petechiae or little red dots that appear on the mouth’s roof
Swollen lymph nodes

When to see a doctor for Strep Throat?

If you or your child exhibits any of these symptoms, consult your doctor right away:

the presence of painful, swollen lymph nodes along with a sore throat
a cough that persists for more than 48 hours
the flu
a rash and aching throat combined
breathing or swallowing issues
no signs of recovery after taking antibiotics for 48 hours if strep has been identified

Strep Throat Risk Factors

Strep throat can affect anyone, but certain factors can increase the likelihood that they will.

Strep throat affects children more commonly than it does adults. Children aged between 5 and 15 are particularly vulnerable. Adults are more likely to get strep throat if they are:

parents of school-age children
adults who frequently connect with children

Having regular close contact with someone who has strep throat is the main risk factor for infection. For instance, the bacteria that causes strep throat frequently infects other family members.

Everywhere there are plenty of people, infectious diseases tend to spread. Group A strep infections are more likely to occur in crowded environments. These conditions consist of the following:

Schools
Childcare facilities
Facilities for military training

Strep Throat Complications

A strep throat might lead to complications, including the following:

Abscesses (pupil-filled cavities) in the neck or around the tonsils
Enlarged neck lymph nodes
Nasal infections
Infected ears
Arthritic fever
Streptococcal glomerulonephritis

Strep Throat Diagnosis

You should visit a doctor if you suspect that you have strep throat. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and inquire about your problems. A strep test might also be administered. The symptoms of viral diseases often resemble those of strep throat. To confirm the presence of group A Streptococcus bacterium in your throat, it is crucial that you do a strep test.

A strep test is quick and harmless, though it may be painful for some people. The back of your throat will be cleaned by a medical professional using the tip of a long, specialized cotton swab. Afterwards, the healthcare professional will either conduct a fast strep test using the swab or submit the swab to a laboratory for testing.

Strep Throat Treatment

To eradicate the germs that cause the infections, antibiotics may treat strep throat.

Antibiotics, like penicillin and amoxicillin, are frequently used by doctors to treat strep throat. A different antibiotic may be recommended by the doctor if you are allergic to penicillin.

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic in pill or liquid form, give you an antibiotic shot, or both. The typical dosage is 10 days of pills or liquid. Follow the advice of your provider. Even if you feel better, you still need to take the entire prescribed dosage because the germs may still be alive.

Strep Throat Prevention

The best defense against strep throat is proper cleanliness. Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water. To protect yourself, it's especially crucial to wash your hands before eating and after sneezing and coughing (to protect others). There are further measures you can take to avoid developing strep throat, such as:

If soap and water are not available, sterilize your hands using an alcohol-based product.
Sneeze or cough into a tissue if at all possible. Put used tissues in the trash.
If you don't have a tissue on hand, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands.
While you're sick, don't share your own cups and utensils with others.

References

Bisno, A. L., Peter, G. S., & Kaplan, E. L. (2002). Diagnosis of strep throat in adults: are clinical criteria really good enough?. Clinical infectious diseases, 35(2), 126-129.

Ebell, M. H. (2003). Strep throat. American family physician, 68(5), 937.

Ebell, M. H., Smith, M. A., Barry, H. C., Ives, K., & Carey, M. (2000). Does this patient have strep throat?. Jama, 284(22), 2912-2918.

Thai, T. N., Dale, A. P., & Ebell, M. H. (2018). Signs and symptoms of group A versus non-group A strep throat: a meta-analysis. Family practice, 35(3), 231-238.