Strep throat is a bacterial infection, primarily caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, or strep A. If you are experiencing a sore throat, have trouble swallowing, have a fever, have white or yellow spots in your throat or on your tonsils, and the lymph nodes in your neck and under your jaw are swollen, chances are you have strep throat.

If you have a cough, red eyes and runny nose, strep is less likely, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

To do a strep test, your medical provider will use a long swab to collect mucus from the back of your throat and have it tested. A rapid in-office strep test can provide results in 15 minutes. Samples that rely on a throat culture that allows bacteria to grow in a lab for testing can take two to five days.

If you have strep, you’ll start feeling better in less than a week. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent spreading the infection and to protect you from rare complications such as scarlet fever. Antibiotics can speed your recovery by a day or so.

Although anyone can get strep throat any time of year, it is more common in children ages 5 to 15 in late winter and early spring. Group A strep bacteria is highly contagious. It spreads through direct contact with infected skin and respiratory droplets you might inhale or that are on your hands when you touch your mouth, or from sharing utensils with an infected person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once you’ve been exposed, it can take two to five days to become ill with strep throat.

Preventing strep throat involves the kinds of precautions we’ve come to know: Cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your mouth with a tissue, wash your hands thoroughly and wash plates and utensils after someone who is sick uses them.

Streptococcal infections are typically mild and are caused by the same bacterium that causes impetigo and cellulitis skin infections.

If you experience any of the following strep throat symptoms, plan a visit with your health care provider and take extra precautions to prevent the spread of germs:

• Fever
• Sore throat, throat pain and swollen glands
• Sore throat lasting more than 48 hours

Seek immediate help if you experience:

• Sudden sore throat with a rash
• Fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for an infant 12 weeks old or younger
• Fever higher than 104° F in any child or adult
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• A diagnosed case of strep throat that doesn’t respond to antibiotics in 48 hours

Norton Now includes same-day care offerings so you can get the care you need, when you need it and where you need it. Norton Community Medical Associates primary care offices are located across Louisville, Southern Indiana and beyond. Save your spot in line at a Norton Immediate Care Center or visit a Norton Prompt Care clinic for treatment of minor injuries or illnesses.

Use Norton eCare video visits or just answer a few questions online from anywhere in Kentucky or Indiana for care without coming into the office. Your provider can order drive-thru lab testing for you if needed at Norton Healthcare Express Services.

Complications of Untreated Strep Throat Infection

Getting medical attention for strep throat can help avoid spreading the infection to other areas of the body and risking damage to your immune system. Strep infection can spread to the:

• Middle ear, causing fever, ear pain, and hearing issues
• Sinuses, leading to congestion, fever and pain
• Lining of the brain and spinal cord, a very rare complication called meningitis.
  • Strep A is one of the bacteria that can cause meningitis. This is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately.
  • Symptoms of meningitis include neck pain with limited range of motion, headaches, high fever, rash and bruising easily.

A streptococcal infection also can cause rheumatic fever, an immune system over-reaction to the infection that can inflame the heart, joints, brain and skin. Though rare, rheumatic fever can develop from untreated strep throat, scarlet fever or impetigo.

Rheumatic fever can develop a month or so after the underlying infection.

Strep Throat Treatment

Antibiotic treatment for strep throat may be prescribed. It’s crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your physician. Pain relievers, rest and fluids provide relief, as well as an occasional throat lozenge.

If you are pregnant and suspect strep throat, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention. Your health care provider will determine the most appropriate course of treatment that is safe for use while pregnant. It’s important to follow the prescribed treatment plan to prevent potential complications.

If your tonsils have been removed, you still can get strep throat. You may not get it as often, and the symptoms won’t be as bad. However, the risks of surgery versus the benefits of easing strep throat have made tonsillectomies less common.