Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection.
Strep throat is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes . It is spread by airborne droplets:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors for strep throat include:
Symptoms of strep throat include:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests to detect strep throat may be used and include:
While only a, rapid DNA test or throat culture can confidently distinguish strep throats from those caused by virus infection, doctors make diagnosis and decide about treatment primarily by careful evaluation of symptoms and physical findings.
Almost all sore throats—including strep—will get better on their own in 7 to 10 days. Strep throat improves more rapidly with antibiotics than without, but antibiotics do not affect the healing of sore throats due to virus infection. Given as a pill or a shot, types of antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, azithromycin, or cephalosporin antibiotics. Symptoms begin to disappear after only a few doses, but it is crucial that you finish the entire prescription.
Serious complications of undertreated strep throat include:
Antibiotics are typically given to prevent the complication of rheumatic fever from occurring after strep throat infection. In many communities, erythromycin is no longer reliably effective in treating strep throat or preventing rheumatic fever due to resistance of the bacteria.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve sore throat and muscle aches and pains.
Note: Aspirin is not recommended for children with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving a child aspirin.
If your are diagnosed with strep throat, follow your doctor's instructions .
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org/
Familydoctor.org
http://familydoctor.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
References:
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org . Accessed October 12, 2005.
Cecil RL, Goldman L, Bennett JC. Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Ebell MH, Smith MA, Barry HC, Ives K, Carey M. Does the patient have strep throat? JAMA . 2000; 284:2912-2918.
Neuner JM, Hamel MB, Phillips RS, Bona K, Aronson MD. Diagnosis and management of adults with pharyngitis. A cost effectiveness study. Ann Intern Med . 2003;139:113-122.
Ressel G. Practice guidelines: principles of appropriate antibiotic use: part IV: acute pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician . 2001;64(5).
Strep throat. JAMA . 2000 Dec 13.
Strep throat. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/strep-throat/DS00260/DSECTION=1 . Accessed November 10, 2007.
Streptococcal pharyngitis. DynaMed website. Available at: http://dynamed101.ebscohost.com/Detail.aspx?id=115782 . Accessed November 10, 2007.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.