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Strep Throat

Strep Throat Overview

Strep throat is a contagious disease caused by infection with streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat symptoms include fever, pain, redness, and swelling of the throat and tonsils. Strep throat may produce mild or severe symptoms.

  • Although strep throat is most common in school-aged children and teens, adults may also get this disease. Strep throat is more widespread during the school year when a large number of students are present in an enclosed space, laughing, yelling, sneezing, and coughing.
  • The bacteria are present in the nose and throat, so normal activities such as sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can spread the infection to other people.
  • The infection can also be acquired by touching objects such as books, tables, or other hard surfaces that were handled by an infected person.
  • Most cases of sore throat are caused by viruses and are not strep throat. Viral sore throats do not need treatment. Symptoms of a viral sore throat include a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, red or runny eyes, and diarrhea. The viral sore throat improves on its own without any treatment.


Next: Strep Throat Causes »

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Strep Throat - Length Symptoms Lasted

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Strep Throat

Tonsillitis »

Tonsillitis Overview

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the glands of the throat, which results in a sore throat. Tonsillitis can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. Most cases of tonsillitis go away without antibiotic medication.

Tonsillitis Causes

Whether viral or bacterial, tonsillitis is transmitted most commonly from one person to another by social contact such as droplets in the air from sneezing. Most of the time, tonsillitis is caused by a viral infection.

Bacterial tonsillitis can be caused by Streptococcus pyogenes-the organism that causes strep throat. If left untreated, strep throat may lead to a more serious condition called rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart several years later.

  • Only about 30% of tonsillitis in children is caused by strep throat.

  • Only 10% of tonsillitis in adults is caused by strep throat.

T...

Read the Tonsillitis article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Streptococcal Infection, Group A »

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is one of the most important pathogens encountered in clinical practice.

Read More on eMedicine »

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