Strep Throat

• Strep Throat Overview
• Strep Throat Causes
• Strep Throat Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Strep Throat Treatment
  • Self-Care at Home
  • Medications
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related Strep Throat articles:
  Strep Throat - on WebMD
  Strep Throat - on MedicineNet

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.