Strep throat Health Article

Definition

Strep throat is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is the most common bacterial infection of the throat.

Alternative Names

Pharyngitis - streptococcal; Streptococcal pharyngitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Strep throat is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, although it can happen in younger children and adults. Children younger than 3 can get strep infections, but these usually don't affect the throat.

Strep throat is most common in the late fall, winter, and early spring. The infection is spread by person-to-person contact with nasal secretions or saliva, often among family or household members.

People with strep throat get sick 2 – 5 days after they are exposed. The illness usually begins suddenly. The fever often is highest on the second day. Many people also have sore throat, headache, stomach ache, nausea, or chills.

Strep throat may be very mild, with only a few of these symptoms, or it may be severe. There are many strains of strep. Some strains can lead to a scarlet fever rash. This rash is thought to be an allergic reaction to toxins made by the strep germ. On rare occasions, strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever if it is not treated. Strep throat may also cause a rare kidney complication.

Symptoms

• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever that begins suddenly
• General discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Rash
• Red throat, sometimes with white patches
• Sore throat
• Tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Abnormal taste
• Headache
• Joint stiffness
• Muscle pain
• Nasal congestion
• Nasal discharge
• Neck pain

Signs and tests

A throat swab can be tested (cultured) to see if strep grows from it. A rapid test is quicker, but misses a few of the cases. Negative rapid tests should be followed by a culture, to find all the cases that might have been missed.