Top 8 Things to Know About Strep Throat

A nagging throat pain can instantly derail your day. Most sore throats are caused by viruses. However, when the invader is bacterial, it is usually Streptococcal pyogenes, otherwise known as Group A Strep.

Do you have strep throat? Here are the top eight things you should know about these belligerent beaded chains of bacteria.

1. The Difference Between Strep Throat Versus Sore Throat

A viral sore throat is usually accompanied by a dripping nose, cough, itchy eyes, or body aches. Strep typically does not travel with this pack of symptoms. Instead, strep throat sufferers are more likely to have inflamed lymph nodes in the front of the neck, a fever, and patches of pus on the tonsils called exudates.

2. Strep Throat Is More Common in Children Than Adults

While only 5% to 15% of sore throats in adults are caused by a streptococcal infection, strep is the culprit in up to 30% of throat infections in kids ages five to 15 annually. Its popularity fluctuates; during the winter and early spring, strep causes up to 40% of throat infections in school-age children.

3. Sometimes Strep Doesn’t Cause a Sore Throat

Your medical provider may suspect strep if you simply have a fever and a particular kind of rash (known as scarlet fever). In children, strep can cause a headache or stomach ache, with or without a sore throat. Children younger than age three may have more ambiguous symptoms, such as fussiness and decreased appetite.

4. Strep Is Highly Contagious

It spreads through saliva and nasal secretions, with symptoms typically appearing two to five days after exposure. For this reason, do not share drinks, pillowcases, towels (or, heaven forbid, toothbrushes!) with someone who might have strep throat.

5. A Negative Rapid Strep Test May Be False

The most common first step in diagnosing strep throat is a rapid antigen detection test (RADT), which is a throat swab that reveals a result within minutes. However, this RADT may miss up to 30% of strep throat cases, so a throat culture is typically performed for confirmation, especially in children.

6. We Have an Exceptionally Good Way to Kill Strep

Penicillin is an old, trusted, and highly-effective weapon against strep throat. In fact, there has never been a report of bacterial resistance of strep to penicillin. For people with a penicillin allergy, clinicians may still prescribe a relative of penicillin because this class of medication is so successful against strep throat.

Regardless of which antibiotic is prescribed, check out RxSaver to save up to 85% at the pharmacy.

7. Strep Resolves Quickly With Antibiotic Treatment

Some studies show that strep is completely eliminated from the throat in up to 90% of cases after just 24 hours of starting an antibiotic medication. Generally, children can return to daycare, and adults to work or otherwise, after just one day of starting antibiotic treatment. Other medications for strep throat, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and numbing throat sprays, can be helpful if fever and pain persist.

8. Tonsillectomy May Be an Option in Cases of Recurrent Strep Throat Infection

However, this decision is made using very specific criteria. Each situation requires careful consideration by an ear, nose, and throat specialist because the surgery has its own set of risks.

Hot tea, salt-water gargles, and the tincture of time are remedies for strep throat, but strep throat demands medical attention. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from this signature bacterium, visit your health care provider for urgent evaluation.