Causes
- What Causes Strep Throat?
Diagnosis
- How Is Strep Throat Diagnosed?
Treatment
- What Is the Treatment for Strep Throat?
Prevention
- How Do You Prevent Strep Throat?

A man grabbing his neck due to a sore throat

Symptoms of strep throat include sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red throat, white patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils/back of the throat/tongue; tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth; and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck, tonsils, and uvula; and others.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep), and is a common cause of sore throat. Antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin are often used to treat strep throat.

Symptoms of strep throat often come on quickly and may include:

Sore throat
Pain when swallowing
Fever
Red throat
White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils, back of the throat, and tongue
Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Swollen tonsils
Swollen uvula
Whitish, furry film on the tongue
Headache
Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Rash (scarlet fever)

What Causes Strep Throat?

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).

Group A strep lives in the nose and throat and can be contagious. When a person infected with strep coughs or sneezes, they release respiratory droplets with the bacteria into the air.

Strep can be transmitted when people:

Inhale the respiratory droplets
Touch something with droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose
Share glasses, plates, or utensils with an infected person
Touch sores on the skin caused by group A strep (impetigo)
Eat improperly handled food (rare)

How Is Strep Throat Diagnosed?

Strep throat is diagnosed with:

A rapid strep test
- A swab is taken of the throat
- Results are usually available in about 15 minutes
Throat culture
- A throat culture swab can take 2-3 days to yield results but is more accurate than a rapid strep test

What Is the Treatment for Strep Throat?

Antibiotics are used to treat strep throat.

Penicillin or amoxicillin are the first-line choices
Other antibiotics may be used for people allergic to penicillin
If antibiotics are prescribed, take the entire dose as prescribed even if you feel better before you have finished all the medication

If a person tests positive for strep throat but has no symptoms (is a “carrier”) treatment is often not needed.

How Do You Prevent Strep Throat?

Recurrent infections with strep throat can happen. The illness may be prevented in some cases by:

Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or upper arm or elbow, not the hands, if a tissue is not available (discard used tissues immediately)
Washing glasses, utensils, and plates thoroughly after someone who is infected uses them
If you have strep throat:
- Stay home from work or school until you no longer have a fever and you have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours
- Take the full course of antibiotics exactly as prescribed