Red and swollen tonsils. White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils. Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae. Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.
Common symptoms of strep throat
In addition to the standard sore throat and painful swallowing, some other signs and symptoms of strep throat may include: Tender, swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the front of the neck. Red spots on the roof of the mouth or palate. Swollen and red tonsils; white patches on occasion.
Take a Good Look
You might see white dots or patches in the back of your throat. Your tonsils -- the bumps on either side at the back of your throat -- might be red and swollen, too. These could be signs of bacterial infection like strep throat or oral thrush, or a viral infection like oral herpes or mononucleosis.
Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you don't take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.
If you have strep throat, your throat and tonsils may appear red, sore and swollen. You may also have white patches, spots or streaks of pus on your throat and tonsils. In addition, you may develop tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae.
A viral sore throat is typically accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as cough, sneeze, runny nose and a hoarse or raspy voice. “A strep infection can make it feel very painful to swallow, and often comes with fever of 101-degrees or higher,” said Schairer.
While strep throat is painful like viral or allergic sore throats, it is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, also known as Group A Strep. Bacterial pharyngitis symptoms are somewhat different than other sore throats, and may include: A sore throat without cough/cold symptoms like a runny nose or congestion.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Sipping apple cider vinegar is an easy way to treat strep throat naturally. Apple cider vinegar has powerful healing compounds such as acetic acid, which can kill dangerous bacteria while helping the growth of beneficial bacteria.
People who are infected spread the bacteria by talking, coughing, or sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. People can get sick if they: Breathe in respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. Touch something with those droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose.
Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat is an infection that requires prompt treatment, particularly in children over the age of 3. Left untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause stroke and permanent damage to the heart.
If you or your child has a sore throat but tests negative for strep, your healthcare provider will consider other conditions resembling strep, like the common cold or flu, to make a diagnosis. Noninfectious causes of sore throats, like allergies or acid reflux, will also be considered.
You may start to feel sick a few days after you come into contact with the bacteria that causes strep throat, but usually people will start feeling sick suddenly. You will probably have a fever very quickly, and your throat will be very sore.
How Long is Strep Contagious? People taking antibiotics for strep throat become less contagious over 24 to 48 hours. A person with untreated strep can infect others for two or three weeks.
Is Strep Throat Contagious? The bacteria that cause strep throat pass easily from person to person through close contact. Strep throat spreads when someone who has the infection coughs or sneezes. Droplets filled with bacteria spray into the air.
Symptoms of Strep Throat Infection
Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are not seen with Strep throat.
“Therefore, best practice is to prescribe antibiotics to prevent future problems and stop the spread of the infection. “While there are times when strep could go away without antibiotics, the problem is that some of those cases could have negative outcomes, especially for very young or elderly patients,” says Moore.
While, in many cases, strep throat will heal on its own, these bacteria can cause other, more serious illnesses in rare cases. Rheumatic fever is a potential complication, and it can damage the valves of the heart.
Strep throat is treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. If you're allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics will treat strep. A course of antibiotics will help decrease your symptoms and the amount of time you're sick.
Generally speaking, avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods as they can all increase irritation. You should also avoid crunchy or hard textured foods like dry toast or cereals, as they can scratch your already delicate throat.
Risk factors. Group A strep pharyngitis can occur in people of all ages. It is most common among children 5 through 15 years of age. It is rare in children younger than 3 years of age.
Strep throat, which is an infection due to streptococcus bacteria, is another cause of sore throats and tonsillitis. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation or infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat.
What Are Obvious Signs I Have Strep Throat? Throat pain and fever without a cough are the most common signs and symptoms of strep throat, says the CDC. You most likely have strep throat if you have a sore throat without cough and other symptoms of the common cold.
The main symptom of strep throat, a sore throat can also develop for other reasons, such as the flu or another viral illness. In fact, most sore throats are due to viruses. If you have a sore throat, it won't turn into strep throat.
Bisno said, strep infections are limited, and most people are better within three or four days. Furthermore, he said, it is safe to wait several days — and perhaps as many as nine days — before starting antibiotic therapy without compromising the chances of preventing rheumatic fever.