Strep Throat

Overview
Strep throat is a contagious disease caused by the Group A Streptococcus (strep-toe-kock-cus) bacteria. While anyone can get strep throat, it is most commonly seen in children between the ages of five and 16.

Strep is extremely contagious. The strep bacterium is found in the nose and/or throat of infected persons and is spread through the air with sneezing or coughing. People with strep throat can spread the disease up to 24 hours after treatment or for 10 to 21 days if untreated.

Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin two to five days after exposure. The symptoms vary from person to person, but usually include:

• A swollen, red throat with dark red spots on the back of the throat
• A very sore throat
• Fever (101 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Tender, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw
• White pus or a gray or white coating on your tonsils

It is also not uncommon to have a headache, body aches and nausea. The nasal congestion and runny nose associated with the common cold do not usually occur with a strep throat.

Scarlet fever, a rare form of strep infection, is characterized by a sore throat, fatigue and a red rash on the body that feels like sandpaper. The rash usually first appears on the neck and upper chest, then quickly spreads over the rest of the body. There is increased redness in the folds of the groin, armpits and elbow. Scarlet fever is nothing more than a strep throat with a rash (caused by a toxin generated by the strep bacterium) and the complication rate is no different than that of strep throat. Scarlet fever is treated the same way as strep.

Treatment
Since the same symptoms of a strep throat can occur with common viral infections, a throat culture is sometimes used to identify the strep bacteria. Results from this test take one to three days. Newer methods have also been developed to detect the strep's presence in a matter of minutes ("rapid strep test").

Once confirmed, strep responds well to a 10-day course of antibiotics. After the antibiotic course is begun, teens can return to school when they feel better. This usually takes about two days.

To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of cool liquids, especially if you have a fever. Don't drink orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemonade or other acidic beverages because they will irritate your throat. Warm liquids like soup or hot chocolate can be soothing. Gargling with warm salt water several times a day can help relieve the soreness in your throat. Stir one to two teaspoons of salt into eight ounces of warm water. Rest will help you feel better, too.

It is important that the infected person take the antibiotic for the full course of treatment. Complications can occur if strep throat is not treated completely with antibiotics. For more information on treating strep, click here.

Siblings have an extremely high chance of getting strep from an infected brother or sister. Although there is no perfect way to avoid strep throat infections, wash all drinking glasses and utensils with hot soapy water and wash your hands often.

Ask Your Physician
A sore throat can be either an annoying ailment from allergies, or the symptom of another illness. It is important that you go to a health care provider if you suspect strep, because strep throat infections can lead to rheumatic fever and kidney disease if left untreated. It's also important for teenagers to find out if their sore throat is a symptom of mononucleosis.