OVERVIEW

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the throat and tonsils. It is a common illness, particularly in children, and is usually passed on through close contact with someone who is infected.

Symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, fever, headache, and stomach pain. If left untreated, strep throat can lead to more serious conditions such as rheumatic fever or even kidney damage.

If you think you or your child might have strep throat, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help relieve the symptoms.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of strep throat may include the following:

• Throat pain that usually comes on quickly.
• Painful swallowing.
• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
  Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate).
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck.
• Fever.
• Headache.

CAUSES

Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.

Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.

TREATMENT

Patients with bacterial infections are treated with oral antibiotics such as:

• Amoxicillin
• Augmentin
• Azithromycin
• Cefuroxime
• Cefdinir

Viral infections are often self-limiting and treated with over-the-counter drugs to help with some of the uncomfortable symptoms.