Feeling sick and have a sore throat? Wondering if it’s just one of the many viruses circulating through the community or if you might have strep throat?
The only way to know for sure if you have strep throat is to get a quick test at the doctor’s office. But certain symptoms may be a sign that you should get tested.
“Also, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure you’re washing your hands regularly with soap and water, drinking plenty of fluids and stay home from work or school,” said Kelsey King-Hook, MD, a specialist in family medicine with Maury Regional Medical Group (MRMG) Primary Care in Columbia.
Strep throat sometimes may not feel much different than having a sore throat that accompanies any type of common virus, like the cold, flu or COVID-19. But, other times, it can feel a lot worse and be very painful.
Here are common symptoms of strep throat:
- A sore throat that starts very quickly
- Pain when swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Small white patches on the tonsils
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Fever
Some other symptoms may be present, including a headache, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. However, strep throat does not cause a cough, runny nose or hoarseness. If you have these symptoms accompanying your sore throat, it is more likely that a virus is causing your illness and not strep throat.
Causes of strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection and is not caused by a virus. It is caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus and is very contagious. It typically takes two-five days for symptoms to manifest after being exposed to group A strep bacteria.
“These bacteria are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes or by touching a surface that has the bacteria on it, then transferring the bacteria to the nose, mouth or eyes,” Dr. King-Hook said.
Risk factors for strep throat
Anyone can get strep throat, but there are a few things that may increase your risk, including:
- Age – School-aged children ages 5-15 are more likely to get strep than adults or younger children. Adults are more at risk if they are parents of school-aged children or are often in contact with children.
- Location – You are more likely to get strep if you spend time in group settings, where close contact is more common. This includes schools, daycare settings and military training facilities. You’re also more likely to get strep throat if you live with someone who has the illness.
Diagnosis and treatment of strep throat
A strep throat test involves swabbing your throat to see if the group A strep bacteria is present. If the test is positive, antibiotics are prescribed to treat the infection. You should start feeling better in a day or two after beginning the antibiotics. But even if you start to feel better, the entire course of antibiotics should be taken as prescribed to prevent a recurrence of the infection.
MRMG Primary Care in Columbia is located in Suite 403 of the Maury Regional Medical Plaza at 854 W. James Campbell Blvd. Board-certified physicians and providers offer treatment of acute illnesses as well as wellness exams, women’s health services, on-site X-ray and lab, and chronic disease management.
Learn more at MauryRegional.com/PC403.
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Date Last Reviewed: December 19, 2023
Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor
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