Lots of things can cause a sore throat. One cause, especially in children and teens, is the bacteria that creates strep throat. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is the formal name of the bacterium.
Viruses can cause a sore throat, too. They include:
Other things that might cause your sore throat include:
- Allergies
- Dry air
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Irritants, like tobacco smoke or eating spicy food
- Muscle strain from talking loudly or for a long time, and yelling
- Tumors
What Are the Common Symptoms of Strep Throat?
When you have strep, you'll usually find that your throat is raw and it hurts to swallow. Your sore throat, if it's caused by strep, will come on very fast, not gradually like many other kinds of sore throats. While the infection is more common in kids than adults, adults who spend a lot of time with kids, like parents and teachers, are at risk, too.
Strep throat symptoms in adults
Symptoms that are common in people of any age, including adults, include:
- A fever of 101 F or higher
- Chills
- Body aches
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes on your neck
- Tiny red spots on the back part of the roof of your mouth
- Red and swollen tonsils (two round lumps in the back of your throat--you may also see white patches on them or elsewhere in your throat)
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain in your throat
Strep throat symptoms in kids
Strep throat is most common among children between ages 5 and 15. If your child has strep throat, they might have added symptoms, such as:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
Strep throat with a rash
You might also see a red, sandpaper-like rash that starts in the face and neck area and then spreads to the rest of the body. This could be a sign of scarlet fever , a reaction to a strep infection that can, in rare cases, lead to serious complications. You should call your doctor if you see this rash.
What does step throat feel like?
Strep throat can hurt more than other kinds of sore throat. It can especially hurt to swallow. You might notice the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen and tender to the touch. If you have a rash, it might feel like sandpaper.
Some people have mild symptoms, but others feel pretty sick, with fevers, chills, poor appetite, and other signs of infection.
How long does strep throat take to show symptoms?
You are most likely to show symptoms 2 to 5 days after getting infected. You can spread the infection to others during this time, before you show any symptoms.
How to Know if You Have Strep Throat Symptoms or Something Else
It's easy to confuse it with other conditions, including viral infections and allergies, so it helps to know that it usually doesn't come with:
Red eyes
Sneezing
Hoarseness
If you have any combination of those symptoms, you probably have a virus or allergy. Also, while you might feel a cold coming on for several days, strep symptoms usually start suddenly. If you have allergy symptoms or a mild cold, you probably feel like you can go on with your day. With strep, you often feel too tired, feverish, and sick for your usual activities.
Another clue: If your child is under age 3, their illness is unlikely to be strep.
Most sore throats aren't strep.The cause is something else about 70% of the time in children and 85% to 95% of the time in adults.
If you suspect strep or you're not sure, your doctor can do a simple swab test to see if there are strep bacteria in your throat. It's important to find out, because if you leave it untreated, strep throat can lead to more serious complications in some cases.
How Is Strep Throat Spread?
The bacteria that cause strep are quite contagious. That means they spread easily from person to person, especially in the same household. The bacteria also can spread in crowded settings, like daycare centers, schools, jails, shelters, and military barracks.
When someone has strep, they have the bacteria in their nose and throat. When they talk, cough, or sneeze, they send droplets containing the bacteria into the air. The droplets can settle on nearby surfaces as well. Other people can get infected when they:
Breathe in the droplets
Touch something the droplets landed on, then touch their noses or eyes
Share personal items, like drinking glasses
Since strep bacteria can also cause skin infections, it's also possible to get strep throat by touching an infected person's skin sores.
You can protect yourself when someone you live with has strep by frequently washing your hands and not sharing unwashed dishes or utensils. Children shouldn't share toys when one of them has strep.
What time of year is strep throat most common?
You can get strep throat at any time of year, but it's most common in the winter and spring. One reason may be that so many children and teens are inside together in big groups during those months.
Why is strep more common in children?
Like other common infections, strep throat is likely more common in children for several reasons. These might include:
Immune systems that aren't as good at fighting off infections
Immature airways that are more susceptible to infection
Spending time in crowded settings like daycares and schools--and having siblings who do, too
Putting their hands in their mouths more often
Why do I keep getting strep throat?
If you or your child get strep repeatedly, you're not alone. Some people are prone to repeat infections. One reason may be that they are frequently around someone who is a strep carrier -- someone who has the bacteria but doesn't necessarily have symptoms. Or they could be a strep carrier themselves, with symptoms from time to time. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the symptoms are really from the bacteria or something else if you are a carrier.
Some strep infections return if you don't finish the antibiotics you get to treat them.
Other possible factors could be genetic and immune system differences that make some people more susceptible to strep infections.
When to See Your Doctor
If you think you or your child has strep throat, you should always see a doctor. Unlike colds and flus, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, the bacteria that cause strep throat can spread to other parts of your body, causing complications such as ear and sinus infections and pockets of pus around your tonsils. One of the most serious potential complications is rheumatic fever, an immune system reaction that can damage your heart valves.
Antibiotics can prevent such complications. But you need a test to confirm the diagnosis and get a prescription.
After swabbing your throat, the doctor can do quick test in the office. If the quick test is positive, you have strep. If it's negative, you might or might not have strep. A lab test that comes back in a couple of days can give you a definite answer in that case.
If you have strep, you'll need to take all the antibiotics you are prescribed to clear up the infection and prevent complications. Stay home from work or school until you no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 12-24 hours.
What if I develop a fever after three days of antibiotics?
If you are not getting better or develop a fever or symptoms after a couple of days on antibiotics, call the doctor.
If you or your child have trouble breathing, are extremely weak, or have purple or blood-colored spots with a fever, call 911. You should also seek immediate care if someone has trouble swallowing, has a very high fever, or signs of dehydration, like dark urine and a very dry mouth.
Takeaways
A sudden, painful, sore throat could be strep, especially if you don't have signs of a cold, flu, or allergy, like coughing or a runny nose. Strep is especially common in kids between ages 5 and 15. If you suspect strep, see a doctor. Antibiotic treatment can help you feel better, prevent complications, and get you back to work or school quickly.
Strep Throat FAQs
Would strep throat go away on its own?
Untreated strep might go away after a week or so. But in some cases it could linger, causing complications and infecting other people.
How can I get rid of strep throat fast?
The fastest way to get rid of strep and feel better is to take antibiotics.
Can I get rid of step throat overnight?
Antibiotics don't work quite that fast. But you should feel better in a day or two.
How long is strep contagious?
People taking antibiotics are less contagious after a day or two. Someone with untreated strep can infect others for 2 or 3 weeks.
Can you prevent strep throat when you feel it coming?
You can't prevent strep once you have symptoms. But you can do things to feel better. That includes gargling with salt water, taking pain relievers, resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating soft foods. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, you should wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, and avoid sharing your personal items.
