What is strep throat?
Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils, caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. Strep throat is most common among children, but can affect you at any age. Strep throat causes your throat to feel sore and scratchy, and when left untreated, it can lead to dangerous complications over time, including kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever.
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Some of the most common signs of strep throat include:
- throat pain that comes on quickly
- painful swallowing
- red and swollen tonsils
- white patches or streaks of pus in the back of your throat
- tiny red dots that appear at the back of the roof of your mouth
- swollen, tender lymph nodes
- fever
- headache
- rash
- nausea or vomiting, especially in young children
- body aches
Though many forms of bacterial and viral infection can cause similar symptoms, strep throat can be easily identified by a test performed by your doctor when you visit Monrovia Internal Medicine & Primary Care.
How is strep throat diagnosed?
When you visit Monrovia Internal Medicine & Primary Care with symptoms of strep throat, there are two simple tests that can confirm the presence of streptococcus bacteria. The first is the rapid antigen test, which uses a simple throat swab to detect the presence of bacteria and other substances that indicate strep throat. This test can offer almost immediate results, but can sometimes offer false negatives. If you test negative for strep in a rapid antigen test, but you still seem to have the symptoms, a throat culture may be used to investigate further.
The other option, a throat culture, takes a sample from the back of your throat, and is sent to a lab to get results. This swab is completely painless, but can sometimes trigger your gag reflex. In a matter of several days, your results will be available.
How is strep throat treated?
Strep throat can be treated with simple antibiotics. Once you start treatment, symptoms should subside within a matter of days, and you won’t be contagious within about 24 hours. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve fever and the pain from your throat as the antibiotics take effect.
If you or your child has symptoms of strep throat, or if you have any questions, call the practice today, or make an appointment online.
