1. Just a Sore Throat or Strep Slideshow
2. Take the Strep Throat Quiz!
3. Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow

Medical Author:

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Acute rheumatic fever: A serious complication of strep throat in which antibodies from the body's immune response to the untreated infection mistakenly attack joints, skin, and the heart. Damage to the heart valves and heart muscle can lead to congestive heart failure. This condition is now less common in the United States after the widespread use of antibiotics, though outbreaks still occur. Symptoms generally develop about 2 to 4 weeks after the onset of strep throat.

Abscess formation: A collection of pus (abscess) can develop around the tonsils (peritonsillar abscess) or at the back of the throat (retropharyngeal abscess). These conditions require antibiotics and generally drainage of the pus.

Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis: This condition is thought to be an immune-mediated disease following infection with certain strains of Group A Streptococcus. It is most common in children between 2 to 12 years of age, and leads to kidney damage which frequently improves with treatment.

Toxic shock syndrome: A rare and potentially life-threatening illness caused by toxins released by Group A Streptococcus. Low blood pressure, fever, and rash can occur, with the potential for multi-organ failure.

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