Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, which are very contagious and can be spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact, or sharing personal items with someone who is sick. The symptoms of strep throat can include:
- Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
- Painful swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
- Body aches
Its important to note that some people infected with group A strep do not have symptoms or seem sick. Additionally, its possible to have many of these signs and symptoms but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other illness. Thats why its important to see a doctor for prompt testing and treatment if you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat.
Symptoms that suggest a virus is the cause of the illness instead of strep throat include cough, runny nose, hoarse voice, and pinkeye (also called conjunctivitis) . If you have a cough and other cold symptoms, you probably have a viral infection, not strep throat.
If you or a child in your care has a fever of 101 F or higher, red, swollen tonsils, pain when swallowing, swollen and/or tender lymph nodes at the front of your neck, white patches in the throat, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (called petechiae), appetite loss, stomachache, body aches, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, or a sore throat that starts suddenly, contact your healthcare professional to see whether you have strep throat. The only sure way to tell strep from viruses that cause a sore throat is to do a test.
