Strep throat is an infection caused by a type of streptococcal
bacteria. It is most common in children ages 2 to 10, but it can affect people
of any age. Strep throat cannot be reliably diagnosed without a rapid strep
test or throat culture.
If you have 3 or 4 of the following symptoms and do not have a cough,
it is very likely that a bacterial strep throat is present:
- Fever of
101
°F (38
°C) or
higher
- Pain that increases with swallowing
- Difficulty
swallowing
- White or yellow spots or coating on the back of the
throat and tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Other symptoms of strep throat, especially in children, may include
general body aches, headache, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, or listlessness.
Strep throat usually doesn't occur with cold symptoms, such as sneezing, runny
or stuffy nose, or cough. In general, the more coldlike symptoms you have, the
less likely it is that your sore throat is caused by strep infection.
Most sore throats are caused by a virus and go away without medical
treatment. However, sore throat is also a symptom of strep throat, a
bacterial infection.
Strep throat with a rash is sometimes referred to as
scarlet fever. The most noticeable symptom of scarlet
fever is a rough, red rash that feels like sandpaper. This rash begins on the
chest and abdomen and then spreads over the rest of the body within 24 hours.
The rash and redness are more apparent in skin folds, especially in the groin,
armpits, and elbow creases. Fever and a sore throat usually develop before the
rash appears. The rash usually fades in about a week, and at that time the skin
may begin to peel.
If strep throat is diagnosed, antibiotics are usually prescribed to
help prevent
rheumatic fever, which is a possible complication of
untreated strep throat. Rheumatic fever can cause heart, joint, brain, and skin
problems. Antibiotics are effective in preventing rheumatic fever if they are
started within 9 days of the start of a sore throat.
