Strep throat, or pharyngitis, is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It’s highly contagious and can spread through sneezing, coughing, or sharing utensils with someone infected. While anyone can get strep throat, it mostly affects children aged 5 to 15, and it’s rare for kids under 3 to catch it.
Symptoms of strep throat generally appear suddenly and include a sore throat and fever. If you think you might have it, you might notice your tonsils are red, swollen, and possibly have pus on them. Despite the possibility of complications, they’re uncommon. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to clear the infection within days.
A sudden sore throat is a key symptom of strep throat. Other signs include swollen, red tonsils, and possibly white patches of pus. The group A strep bacteria lives commonly in our noses and throats and can spread through respiratory droplets, making the infection easy to catch, especially if you’re around someone who is coughing or sneezing.
Most vulnerable to strep throat are children aged 3 to 15, along with adults who spend a lot of time around them. Being in crowded places like schools or care facilities increases the risk of catching it, especially during winter and early spring when cases peak.
To diagnose strep throat, a healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms, check your throat, and feel for swollen lymph nodes. If strep is suspected, they might perform a rapid test by swabbing your throat, which gives quick results. If the test is negative but suspicion remains, a throat culture, which is more accurate, might be done.
The main aims of treating strep throat are to reduce symptoms swiftly, limit how long you’re contagious, and avoid complications. Antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin are generally used and should be taken fully even if you’re feeling better. This ensures all the bacteria are eliminated and helps prevent antibiotic resistance.
If you don’t show symptoms but test positive for strep, antibiotics may not be necessary as the risk of spreading or having complications is lower.
To alleviate the symptoms, over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil can be helpful, as well as home remedies like gargling salt water or drinking cold liquids.
Good hygiene is essential to preventing strep throat. Wash your hands often, avoid direct contact with infected individuals, and don’t share utensils. If you must be around someone with strep throat, try to avoid touching your face after contact.
If you have strep throat, prevent spreading it by staying home until you’re fever-free and have been on antibiotics for at least 12 hours. Continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands, particularly after sneezing or coughing.
While complications from untreated strep are rare, they can happen. These include acute rheumatic fever, which can inflame your heart and joints, or conditions like PANDAS in children, affecting behavior and movement.
Although strep throat can be painful, following treatment, you should start feeling better quickly—typically within a day or two. Rarely, related issues like sinus or ear infections might occur, but serious complications are uncommon with proper care.
As with most infections, resting and staying hydrated can aid your recovery. If you’re infected, stay home until your fever has subsided and you’ve been on antibiotics for 12 hours. Keep up with good hygiene practices to avoid spreading or catching strep throat if you’re in close contact with others.
