In this Article

• What is strep throat?
• What causes sore throat?
• What are tonsils and tonsillitis?
• What are pharynx and pharyngitis?
• Can viruses cause throat infection?
• Can bacteria cause throat infection?
• How common is strep throat?
• How can someone catch strep throat?
• What are the symptoms of strep throat?
• When should I be concerned about a possible strep throat?
• How is strep throat detected by the doctor?
• Can a blood test be done to detect strep throat infection?
• Who should be tested for strep throat?
• How is strep infection treated?
• When should the tonsils be taken out?
• Why is it very important to detect and treat a strep throat?
• What are the potential complications of untreated strep throat infection?
• Is there a vaccine for strep throat?
• Strep Throat At A Glance
• Pictures of Anatomy of a Sore Throat - Slideshow
• Patient Discussions: Strep Throat - Length Symptoms Lasted
• Strep Throat Glossary
• Strep Throat Index

Is there a vaccine for strep throat?

Currently, there are no vaccines available against group A streptococcus bacteria. There are currently concerns about whether a vaccine may initiate immune responses similar to those causing rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.

Strep Throat At A Glance

• Most throat infections are caused by viruses.
  
  
• The symptoms of strep throat include fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands in the neck.
  
  
• The diagnosis of strep throat is confirmed by a throat culture or rapid-strep test.
  
  
• Strep throat is treated with antibiotics.
  
  
• If left untreated, strep throat may cause heart and kidney problems.

Previous contributing medical author: Dennis S. Phillips, MD

Strep Throat - Length Symptoms Lasted

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

How long did the symptoms of your strep throat last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 23 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• amoxicillin, Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox - Learn more about amoxicillin, including a description, generic and brand names, drug class and mechanism, preparations, storage, reasons for prescription, dosing, effect on pregnancy and nursing mothers, and common side effects.
• Tonsillectomy - Learn about the tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy surgery. Information on what to expect prior to surgery, during surgery, and recovery time from surgery.
• Infectious Mononucleosis - Read about mono treatment, symptoms, signs, risks and diagnosis. "The kissing disease" is a contagious sickness caused by the Epstein Barr virus transmitted in saliva.

Read more Strep Throat related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Strep Throat: No Tourette's Link Seen
• School Closures May Not Be Necessary When Swine Flu Strikes
• Dr. Smith's Swine Flu Q and A
• New Details on Swine Flu Deaths in Kids