Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and fever.
Strep throat symptoms in infants and children are different than in adults. Strep throat is contagious and is generally passed from person-to-person. Treatment for strep throat symptoms include home remedies and OTC medication; however, the only cure for strep throat are antibiotics.
Read more: Strep Throat (GAS): Treatment and Symptoms ArticleMultimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Is It Contagious? What Diseases Are Contagious?
Is it contagious? Take this quiz to learn about contagious diseases, how contagious diseases are spread, and myths and facts...
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Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz: Test Your Infectious Disease IQ
Take the Strep (Streptococcal) Throat Infection Quiz to learn about causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention methods, diagnosis,...
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Picture of Strep Throat
Strep infection often produces a distinct pattern of white patches in the throat and on the tonsils, as well as red swollen...
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Picture of Tonsils
The tonsils (palatine tonsils) are a pair of soft tissue masses located at the rear of the throat (pharynx). See a picture of the...
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Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Your medical care depends on knowing if you have a viral infection or a...
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Childhood Diseases: Measles, Mumps, & More
Is your child at risk for these childhood diseases? Know when to call the doctor for conditions such as measles, mumps, ringworm,...
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Strep Throat: Symptoms and Treatments for this Contagious Condition
Strep throat symptoms in adult and kids may be accompanied by a fever, rash and may lead to more serious complications. Strep...
QUESTION
Just about any painful sore throat is caused by strep. See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Group A Streptococcal Infections
Second Source article from Government
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Tonsillitis (Adenoiditis)
Tonsillitis is a contagious infection with symptoms of bad breath, snoring, congestion, headache, hoarseness, laryngitis, and coughing up blood. Tonsillitis can be caused acute infection of the tonsils, and several types of bacteria or viruses (for example, strep throat or mononucleosis). There are two types of tonsillitis, acute and chronic. Acute tonsillitis lasts from one to two weeks while chronic tonsillitis can last from months to years. Treatment of tonsillitis and adenoids include antibiotics, over-the-counter medications, and home remedies to relieve pain and inflammation, for example, salt water gargle, slippery elm throat lozenges, sipping warm beverages and eating frozen foods (ice cream, popsicles), serrapeptase, papain, and andrographism Some people with chronic tonsillitis may need surgery (tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy).
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Fever in Adults and Children
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.
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Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono)
Infectious mononucleosis is a virus infection in which there is an increase of white blood cells that are mononuclear (with a single nucleus) "Mono" and "kissing disease" are popular terms for this very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
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Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
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Erythema Nodosum
Erythema nodosum is a skin inflammation that results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the knees. Erythema nodosum can resolve on its own in three to six weeks, leaving a bruised area. Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone by mouth or injection.
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Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA), and a mixture of central and obstructive apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to activate the muscles of breathing during sleep. OSA is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep. OSA is diagnosed and evaluated through patient history, physical examination and polysomnography. There are many complications related to obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments are surgical and non-surgical.
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Group B Strep
Group B strep are bacteria called Streptococcus agalactiae that may sometimes cause infections both in a pregnant woman and her baby. Symptoms include fever, seizures, heart rate abnormalities, breathing problems, and fussiness. Intravenous antibiotics are used to treat group B strep infections.
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Disease Prevention for Teens
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.
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Swimmer's Ear (External Otitis)
Swimmer's ear (external otitis) is an infection of the skin that covers the outer ear canal. Causes of swimmer's ear include excessive water exposure that leads to trapped bacteria in the ear canal. Symptoms of simmer's include a feeling of fullness in the ear, itching, and ear pain. Chronic swimmer's ear may be caused by eczema, seborrhea, fungus, chronic irritation, and other conditions. Common treatment includes antibiotic ear drops.
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Children's Health
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health, and community health.
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How to Stop Snoring
Snoring, like all other sounds, is caused by vibrations that cause particles in the air to form sound waves. While we are asleep, turbulent air flow can cause the tissues of the nose and throat to vibrate and give rise to snoring. Any person can snore. Snoring is believed to occur in anywhere from 30% of women to over 45% of men. People who snore can have any body type. In general, as people get older and as they gain weight, snoring will worsen. Snoring can be caused by a number of things, including the sleep position, alcohol, medication, anatomical structure of the mouth and throat, stage of sleep, and mouth breathing.
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Streptococcal Infections
Group A streptococcal infections are caused by group A streptococcus, a bacteria that causes a variety of health problems, including strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, and scarlet fever. There are more than 10 million group A strep infections each year.
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Adenovirus 14 (Killer Cold Virus)
Adenovirus infection, particularly Ad14, or the "killer cold virus" has been on the increase in the past two years. Symptoms range from those experienced with colds, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, pinkeye, fever, bladder infection, and neurological conditions. Diagnosis and treatment options need to be discussed with your physician.
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Swollen Lymph Nodes (Glands)
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly, but may include fever, night sweats, toothache, sore throat, or weight loss. Causes of swollen lymph nodes also vary, but may include cancer, the common cold, mono, chickenox, HIV, and herpes. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
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Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever is a disease that sometimes occurs after a group A streptococcal infection of the throat. Symptoms and signs include carditis, polyarthritis, Aschoff bodies, rash, Sydenham's chorea, and fever. Treatment for rheumatic fever involves eliminating the bacteria with penicillin, erythromycin, or azithromycin. Further treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms brought on by the body's immunologic response to the bacteria.
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Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI)
An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barr. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infections are based upon the cause. Generally, viral infections are treated symptomatically with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and home remedies.
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Heart Murmur
A heart murmur is a heart problem that can occur, for example, during pregnancy or exercise, or it can be a symptom of serious heart condition, for example, congenital heart defects or heart valve disease. A heart murmur makes a whooshing or swishing sound. Symptoms of a heart murmur include swelling of the legs or feet, dizzy or lightheaded, blackouts, chest pain, rapid heart rate (palpitations), difficulty doing normal daily activities, fatigue, and a bluish tinge on the skin, lips, and fingernails. Treatment for heart murmurs in infants, children, and adults depend on the cause. Some heart murmurs can be harmless while some are serious and life threatening.
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Children's Cough Causes and Treatments
Children's cough causes include infection, acid reflux, asthma, allergies or sinus infection, whooping cough, and exposure to irritants. Treatment for a child's cough include cough medicine for children over the age of four.
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Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm leaves, raw garlic, Throat Coat tea, sage, and acupuncture. Typical symptoms of a sore throat include throat pain, coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Sore throats are caused by viral (common cold, flu, mumps), bacterial (tonsillitis, some STDs), toxins, allergens, trauma or injury, or "mechanical causes" (breathing through the mouth).
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Is a Cough Contagious?
There are many types of coughs: for example, dry cough, wet cough, a barking cough, whooping cough, stress induced cough, acute cough, and chronic cough. Cough is a symptom of an underlying condition or disease. Treatment of cough as a symptom is generally with OTC lozenges and liquids. The cause of the cough will be necessary to treat.
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Is Strep Throat Contagious?
Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Incubation period for strep throat is 1-5 days after exposure. If strep throat is treated with antibiotics, it is no longer contagious after 24 hours; if it is not treated with antibiotics, it is contagious for 2-3 weeks. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, white spots or patches on the tonsils, and nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis of strep throat is performed through a rapid strep test.
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Is Tonsillitis Contagious?
Tonsillitis is a common infection, especially in kids. Tonsillitis is caused by viruses and bacteria like the flu and herpes simplex virus, and Streptococcus bacteria. These viruses and bacterium are spread person to person. Symptoms of tonsillitis are a yellow or white coating on the tonsils, throat pain, pain when swallowing, and hoarseness.
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Is Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Contagious?
The medical term for a sore throat is pharyngitis. There are many causes of a sore throat such as medications, diseases (GERD, cancer, AIDS), infections (Streptococcus or strep, mononucleosis), allergies, and smoking. Symptoms are a red, swollen throat; fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Treatment for sore throat depends on the cause.
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Sore Throat: Should I Take Antibiotics?
A sore throat is irritation and scratchiness in the throat accompanied by pain that often worsens with swallowing. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection. Rarely, a bacterial infection can cause a sore throat. Antibiotics cannot treat a sore throat if it is caused by a viral infection. Viruses cause about 90% of sore throats; hence, antibiotics should not be used immediately as treatment for a sore throat. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin if a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection.
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Strep Throat: Should I Take Antibiotics?
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (such as cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria. Your doctor may advise and prescribe antibiotics for you when you have a bacterial infection or pus in your throat.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Neck Pain (Cervicalgia)
- Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- Swollen Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)
- Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor's Appointment
- How to Choose a Doctor
- Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Drainage of Pus
- Drooling
- Loss of Taste Sensation
- Bad Breath
- Strep Throat
- Contagious FAQs
- Strep Streptococcal Throat Infection FAQs
- What are granulomatosis with polyangiitis and erythema nodosum?
- Strep Throat Diagnosis & Treatment
- Tonsillectomy: Does My Child Need a Tonsillectomy?
- Killer Cold Virus (Adenovirus Strains)
- Hotel Hygiene: Is Your Hotel Making You Sick?
- What Is Cryptic Tonsillitis?
- What Diseases Are Similar to Kawasaki Disease?
- How Long Does It Take Strep to Go Away?
- Strep Throat Complications
- Strep Throat Symptoms
- Sore Throat Symptoms
- Sore Throat: Virus or Strep?
- Antibiotics 101
- Strep Throat Natural Home Remedies
Medications & Supplements
- cefadroxil - oral, Duricef
- cefadroxil suspension - oral, Duricef
- acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol Ext, Little Fevers Children's Fever/Pain)
- amoxicillin (Amoxil, Moxatag, Larotid)
- ampicillin
- Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES-600, Amoclan
- clarithromycin, Biaxin
- cefaclor (Raniclor)
- cefuroxime, Ceftin, Zinacef
- cefprozil (Cefzil)
- erythromycin (Ery-Tab, PCE)
- Keflex (cephalexin)
- loracarbef
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
- cefixime (Suprax)
- penicillin V
- azithromycin (Zithromax): Potential COVID-19 Combo Drug
- cefadroxil, Duricef (Discontinued)
- cefdinir (Omnicef has been discontinued)
- clindamycin, oral (Cleocin)
- penicillin v potassium - oral liquid, Pen-Vee K, Veetids
- penicillin V potassium (Beepen-VK, V-Cillin-K)
- penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A)
- cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin, Bantan)
- (Lincocin) lincomycin
- Penicillin (Antibiotics)
- Amoxicillin vs. Levaquin
- Ibuprofen (Advil) vs. Naproxen (Aleve): Comparison of Differences
- Amoxicillin vs. Augmentin (Comparison of Side Effects and Antibiotic Uses)
- Cipro, XR (ciprofloxacin) vs. Keflex (cephalexin)
- Cefdinir vs. cefixime (Suprax) 3rd Generation Antibiotics
- Keflex vs. Penicillin
- Cefdinir vs. Keflex
- Cefdinir vs. Cefpodoxime
- Doxycycline vs. Keflex
- Nitrofurantoin vs. Amoxicillin
- Nitrofurantoin vs. Cephalexin
- Side Effects of Sumycin (tetracycline)
- Side Effects of Bicillin C-R (penicillin g benzathine/penicillin g procaine)
- Side Effects of Avelox (moxifloxacin)
- Side Effects of Zyvox (linezolid)
Prevention & Wellness
- Could Strep Throat Become Untreatable?
- New Strain of Strep Causing Cases of Scarlet Fever
- Health Tip: Strep Isn't an Ordinary Sore Throat
- Will These 2 Home Remedies Help Your Sore Throat?
- From Horses to Humans: Uncovering a Clue to Sore Throats
- Throat Bacteria Linked to Bone and Joint Infection in Kids
- Health Tip: Get the Facts About Antibiotics
- Health Tip: Recognize Signs of Strep Throat
- A New Antibiotic to the Rescue?
- Strep Throat: How Soon Can Kids Go Back to School?
- When to Keep Kids Home From School
- 1 in 5 Sore Throats Tied to Scary Bacteria, Study Finds
- Guinea Pigs Can Be Source of Serious Strep Infection
- Common Strep Bacteria May Be Morphing Into 'Superbug'
- Many Docs Wrongly Prescribe Powerful Antibiotics: Study
- Social Media Helps Pin Down Source of Foodborne Strep Throat Outbreak
- No Need to Toss Your Child's Toothbrush After Strep Throat, Study Suggests
- Does Tamiflu Work? Questions Continue
- Health Tip: Is That Sore Throat Strep?
- Health Tip: What's Behind a Sore Throat?
- Eyes May Possess Infection-Killing Power: Study
- U.S. Antibiotic Prescribing Rates Highest in South: Study
- Kids' Strep Throat: Likely No Need to Lose Tonsils
- New Strep Throat Guidelines Tackle Antibiotic Resistance
- Flesh-Eating Bacteria No Cause for Panic, Experts Say
- New Guidelines on When Kids Need Tonsillectomies
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