Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Strep throat, a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils, is seeing increased attention as winter and early spring progress, though it remains less common than viral sore throats. Whereas often affecting children between the ages of 5 and 15, adults, particularly those working in schools or childcare settings, can also contract the illness.

The infection, caused by Streptococcus bacteria – most commonly group A, but also groups B, C, and G – manifests as a sore throat, often accompanied by fever, red and swollen tonsils, and sometimes white patches. According to medical experts, distinguishing strep throat from a viral infection can be challenging, as symptoms overlap. A runny nose or cough typically indicates a viral cause, while a rapid onset of severe sore throat is more indicative of strep.

Diagnosis requires a medical examination and laboratory testing. Doctors typically perform a rapid antigen test, which can provide results within minutes, or a throat culture, which may capture up to two days. Both involve swabbing the back of the throat and tonsils to collect a sample for analysis.

Treatment for strep throat involves antibiotics, typically penicillin or amoxicillin, to kill the bacteria and prevent complications. It’s crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve within a day or two, to ensure the infection is fully eradicated. Individuals are considered contagious for approximately 24 hours after starting antibiotics and should take precautions to avoid spreading the bacteria during this period.

Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. Preventative measures include frequent handwashing, particularly after coughing or sneezing, and disinfecting shared surfaces.

While complications from strep throat are uncommon, they can be serious. These include abscesses around the tonsils, sinus or ear infections, and, in rare cases, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease. Untreated strep throat can also lead to rheumatic fever, a potentially damaging inflammatory condition affecting the heart, joints, skin, and central nervous system.

Group B streptococcal bacteria can be found in pregnant women and, though usually harmless to the mother, can cause serious illness in newborns during delivery. Groups C and G streptococci are less common and can be contracted through raw milk or contact with infected animals.

With appropriate antibiotic treatment, strep throat typically resolves within 10 days. Over-the-counter pain relievers and home remedies, such as warm salt water gargles and throat lozenges, can help alleviate symptoms but do not cure the infection.