What is strep throat?
Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils (glands in the back
of the throat) caused by a bacterium known as Streptococcus. Strep throat spreads from person to person very easily, especially among family members. It is common in children ages 5 to 13 but also occurs in adults.
Strep throat can cause more serious illnesses, like rheumatic fever, a disease that may harm the heart valves. So, it's important to get it treated. With proper treatment, strep is usually cured within 10 days.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
The symptoms of strep throat include:
- Sudden sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Painful swallowing
- Red tonsils with white spots
- Fever
- Headache
- Swollen neck glands
How does strep throat spread?
Strep throat is spread by:
- Close contact with an infected person
- Sharing an infected person's personal items
How do I know if my child or I has strep throat?
Visit your health care provider and tell him or her your concern. You or
your child will be examined and may be given a strep test. If signs of strep
throat are very clear, your health care provider may start treatment right away.
What is a strep test?
A strep test looks for Streptococcus bacteria in the throat. It is painless
and takes very little time. The tip of a cotton swab is used to wipe the back of
the throat. The swab is then tested.
If the test is positive, the patient has strep throat. If the test is
negative, no signs of Streptococcus were found. The throat culture is not always
correct. If there are strong signs of strep throat, your health care provider
may decide to treat, even if the test was negative.
How is strep throat treated?
Strep throat is treated using antibiotics. Antibiotics
are a type of medicine that kills the bacteria causing the infection.
Antibiotics are often taken as pills or given as a shot. Penicillin and
amoxicillin are common antibiotics used to treat strep throat. Other antibiotics
are ordered for people who are allergic to penicillin.
Your health care provider may give you or your child a shot or order a pill
or liquid form of an antibiotic. The pills or liquid are usually taken for 7
to10 days. Follow your health care provider's instructions. Take all of the
medication, even if you feel better. The bacteria can still be alive even if you
feel okay.
How soon will the ill person feel better?
You or your child should feel better within a day or two after treatment
begins.
When can my child return to school?
You or your child can return to your regular activities 24 hours after
receiving the shot or beginning the antibiotic, if your temperatures are normal.
What can be done to relieve the pain?
- Drink soothing liquids such as warm tea
- Take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Take throat lozenges or spray.
Adults can take aspirin, but aspirin should not be given to children. Aspirin
can cause Reye's Syndrome, a life-threatening illness, in children and adolescents with fevers.
Other sore throats don't need special medicine, so why does strep?
Some common colds and sore throats cannot be cured with medicines. You can
only relieve the aches and pains. These colds and sore throats are caused by
viruses and heal on their own.
Strep throat is caused by a bacteria. Infections caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics.
Strep throat can lead to more serious illnesses, so it's important to get it treated.
Can I take antibiotics I already have?
You should never take medicines left over from a prior illness or give a
leftover medicine to your children. Leftover antibiotics can also make strep
throat more difficult to treat and can cause serious side effects.
What if I'm not getting better?
If you (or your child) are not getting better, let your health care provider
know promptly. Do not stop taking your medicine, unless your health care
provider tells you to. Call your health care provider if these symptoms occur:
- Fever one or two days after feeling better
- Nausea or vomiting
- Earache
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Cough
- Swollen glands
- Painful joints
- Shortness of breath
- Dark urine, rash, or chest pain (may occur 3 to 4 weeks later)
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/20/2004...#4602
