Strep Throat

 

"Strep throat" is a sore throat that is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It's the most common bacterial infection of the throat, and the term "Strep Throat" (or "strep") comes from the name of the bacteria.

 

How does someone get strep throat?

"Strep" bacteria are highly contagious, and they spread through airborne droplets. This means that tiny droplets containing the bacteria are released into the air when someone with strep breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

 

You can get strep by:

• Breathing in the airborne droplets when someone who is sick breaths, coughs, or sneezes
• Sharing food/drinks, shaking hands with, or kissing someone who has strep
• You can also pick up the bacteria by touching an object (such as a doorknob) after it has been contaminated and then touching your mouth or nose

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

The common symptoms include:

• Pain in your throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Swollen, red tonsils (the tonsils may also have white patches)
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes) in your neck
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue (feeling very tired)

Less common symptoms include a skin rash, body aches, not feeling hungry, stomach ache, and vomiting.

 

If you have any of these symptoms or you've been exposed to someone with strep throat, it's important to see your health care provider so he/she can test to see if you have strep.

 

Some of the symptoms of strep throat are similar to those of other sore throats caused by viruses. However, A strep infection is more serious and requires a visit to your health care provider, a rapid strep test and/or throat culture, and antibiotics.

 

How can my health care provider (HCP) tell if I have strep throat?

First, your HCP will look for signs and symptoms of strep throat. He/she will likely ask you to open your mouth as wide as you can (and say "ahh"), and use a tongue depressor (an instrument that looks like a popsicle stick and is used to push your tongue down) to get a good look at your throat and your tonsils. Your HCP will likely feel your neck to check for swollen lymph nodes and may take your temperature to see if you have a fever.

 

Your HCP will also gently rub a sterile swab (similar to a very long q-tip) over the back of your throat and tonsils. This doesn't take long and isn't painful, but it may cause you to gag very briefly. The purpose of the swab is to get a sample that will be tested for strep bacteria.

 

After swabbing your throat, your HCP will do a rapid strep test. This test can detect strep bacteria within minutes. If the test is positive, your HCP will prescribe treatment right away. If the test is negative, a swab will sent to a lab for further testing, because rapid strep tests may miss some strep infections.

 

What is the treatment for strep throat?

If you've tested positive for strep throat, your HCP will give you a prescription for antibiotics (usually penicillin, unless you're allergic). The medicine will help lessen your symptoms and reduce the chance of any complications. You are no longer contagious after you've been on the medicine for 24 hours.

 

Even though you will start feeling better within a day or two of starting the antibiotics, it's extremely important that you take ALL of the medicine your HCP prescribed for you. If you stop taking the medicine early, the strep could come back.

 

Other things you can do to feel better when you have strep throat include:

• Drink lots of fluids - cool liquids such as water and ginger ale can help. Sucking on an ice pop and drinking warm liquid such as soup, decaffeinated tea, and hot cocoa are good too.
• Rest - take naps and go to bed early
• Gargle with salt-water but don't swallow
• Try throat lozenges
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Is there anything I can do to prevent getting strep throat?

Yes. To avoid getting strep throat, avoid contact with anyone who has strep. If you're living with someone who has a strep infection, wash your hands often, and don't share drinking glasses, eating utensils, or toothbrushes.

 

It's also important to prevent re-infecting yourself. If you have strep, make sure to get a new toothbrush. Do this after you are no longer contagious (24 hrs after starting antibiotics), but before you finish them). Otherwise it's possible for the bacteria to live in the toothbrush and make you sick again once you've finished your medication.

 

Written by the YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

 

Updated: 6/15/2011

 

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