No, strep throat typically does not cause a cough; a cough, along with a runny nose or hoarseness, usually points to a viral infection like the cold or flu, while strep presents as sudden, severe throat pain, fever, and sometimes white spots on tonsils, notes Johns Hopkins Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
“Usually with strep you will not have a cough—you're not going to cough up any phlegm,” she added. “You'll just have the fever and the sore throat and the other symptoms. But if you are having a cough, then that's a good sign that it's likely a viral illness because strep doesn't affect the lower respiratory tract.”
The four key symptoms of strep throat are a sudden, severe sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, and swollen, tender neck glands, often accompanied by red tonsils with white patches, though symptoms can vary, especially in kids, who might also get stomach pain or vomiting.
Viral illnesses that can cause sore throat that may be mistaken for strep throat include:
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage. Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages.
How can you tell the difference between sore throat and strep throat? Strep throat symptoms typically come on pretty quickly. Colds and sore throat symptoms are more gradual in that you slowly start feeling more and more sick. With strep throat, there are no other upper respiratory symptoms.
Strep throat is highly contagious and you're contagious for 2-5 days before symptoms, but if treated with antibiotics, you're usually no longer contagious after 24-48 hours (1-2 doses) and can return to school/work, while untreated, you can spread it for 2-3 weeks. To prevent spread, wash hands often, cover coughs, don't share items, and stay home until fever-free and 24 hours on antibiotics, say Healthline, Northwestern Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and KidsHealth.
Strep throat can cause a sore throat, fever, fatigue and a sore neck. Your doctor may take a throat swab to diagnose strep throat. Strep throat can cause complications such as rheumatic fever and scarlet fever. If you are at risk of complications, your doctor may give you antibiotics to treat strep throat.
Strep throat and COVID-19 can both cause a sore throat. Strep and COVID-19 have different origins, which also causes them to require different treatment strategies. It's possible to have strep and COVID-19 at the same time.
Many viral illnesses cause a sore throat such as:
How Do I Care for a Child With Strep Throat? In addition to prescribing antibiotics, your child's doctor may recommend that your child get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluid. If pain persists, you can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help treat discomfort.
Yes, strep throat can cause ear pain through referred pain from shared nerves or by leading to a secondary ear infection, as the inflammation and bacteria can affect the connected ear, nose, and throat system, especially the Eustachian tubes. This discomfort often feels like pressure or soreness in the ear, and it's crucial to see a doctor for treatment, as untreated strep can cause complications, notes the American Family Care and other sources.
Rheumatic Fever
It can develop if strep isn't properly treated early on and can cause nosebleeds, abdominal pain, heart problems, swelling, and twitching.
Treatment for strep throat during pregnancy typically involves antibiotics, which are safe for both you and your baby when prescribed by a healthcare provider. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin, and are considered safe during pregnancy.
After dealing with strep throat, it's best to throw out and replace your toothbrush. Additionally, be sure to disinfect the toothbrush holder. Bacteria can live on these surfaces, and you can continue to infect yourself with strep throat.
Yes, strep throat can often resolve on its own, as the body fights off the Streptococcus bacteria, but it's generally not recommended to skip antibiotics because untreated strep carries serious risks like rheumatic fever (causing heart damage), kidney inflammation, and abscesses, and antibiotics quickly relieve symptoms and stop spreading the highly contagious infection. While symptoms may improve in a few days without treatment, the bacteria can linger, causing complications and making you contagious for longer (up to three weeks), whereas antibiotics clear the infection within about 24 hours.
Strep throat is highly contagious and you're contagious for 2-5 days before symptoms, but if treated with antibiotics, you're usually no longer contagious after 24-48 hours (1-2 doses) and can return to school/work, while untreated, you can spread it for 2-3 weeks. To prevent spread, wash hands often, cover coughs, don't share items, and stay home until fever-free and 24 hours on antibiotics, say Healthline, Northwestern Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and KidsHealth.
In some cases, the inflammation and irritation caused by strep throat can extend beyond the throat and affect the airways, leading to reactive airway inflammation. This can cause a dry, hacking cough to develop as the body responds to the irritation in the respiratory tract.
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
Symptoms can be many and can include:
It's important to remember that treatment with antibiotics is strongly recommended to reduce transmission, ease symptoms and avoid complications. Once a person with strep throat has been taking antibiotics for 24 hours and has no fever, they can return to work, school or daycare and not worry about infecting others.
Symptoms of Rheumatic Fever
The onset of RF usually occurs about two to four weeks after a strep throat infection. Signs and symptoms include: Chest pain.
Your symptoms may be due to a variety of upper respiratory infections. Examples include viral sore throat (pharyngitis), Strep throat, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. All of these conditions can also cause symptoms that affect the ears such as pain, ringing, or fullness.
When does my child need medical attention for group A strep? Parents should bring their children to the emergency department if they are having difficulty breathing, if they are not able to keep liquids down, or if they appear to be behaving in an unusual way or not responding the way that they typically do.