Strep Throat Symptoms, Testing & Treatment

Could It Be Strep Throat? Signs and Symptoms

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection that can come on quickly causing sore throat, fever, and other uncomfortable symptoms. But these symptoms often resemble a viral illness. Understanding the key signs and getting properly tested are important to treat strep appropriately.

Common Strep Throat Symptoms

The most characteristic strep throat symptoms include:

• Painful, sore throat
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Fever
• Red, swollen tonsils
• White patches or spots on the tonsils
• Tiny red spots on the palate
• Enlarged, tender lymph nodes in the neck
• Headache

Symptoms usually begin 1-5 days after exposure to the bacteria. While some viral infections can cause similar symptoms, strep throat tends to come on quickly and severely.

Who is Most at Risk?

Strep throat is most common in school-aged children between 5-15 years old. But anyone can get it through contact with an infected person's coughs or sneezes. Other risk factors include:

• Close living quarters
• Sharing drinks or utensils
• Exposure at schools or daycares
• Time of year - more common in winter/spring
• Previous strep infection
• Untreated strep carrier
• Compromised immunity

How Long Does Strep Throat Last?

Without treatment, strep throat typically lasts 1-2 weeks, with symptoms peaking in 2-4 days. Taking a full course of prescribed antibiotics greatly speeds healing, however, allowing symptoms to improve within 24-48 hours.

Complications of Untreated Strep

While strep itself isn't dangerous in most cases, possible complications from untreated strep throat include:

• Scarlet fever rash
• Rheumatic fever
• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
• Abscesses around tonsils
• Middle ear infections
• Mastoiditis inflammation
• Sinus infections

Getting tested at the first signs of strep allows for prompt antibiotic treatment reducing these risks.

How to Tell if You Have Strep Throat

Distinguishing strep throat from a common viral infection isn't always easy. But looking at your symptoms and getting a strep test can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Consider Strep Throat Likely If:

• Onset is sudden and severe
• Fever of 101F or higher
• White spots or coating on tonsils
• No runny nose, cough, or congestion
• Exposure to someone recently diagnosed

These suggest a bacterial infection like strep rather than a virus.

Viral Infection More Likely If:

• Symptoms develop gradually
• Congestion, runny nose, cough
• Sore throat comes after cold symptoms
• Recent upper respiratory infection
• Young child with no fever

Viral sore throats often follow typical cold symptoms and are less severe.

When to Visit Your Doctor

See a doctor if throat pain persists more than a few days, is accompanied by high fever, or other concerning symptoms develop. Strep testing provides the best answers to guide appropriate treatment.

Getting Tested for Strep Throat

Strep throat is diagnosed through a simple in-office throat swab test. Knowing what to expect and proper swabbing technique improves results.

The Rapid Strep Test

This quick swab checks for strep bacteria proteins in throat secretions. Most doctors' offices can perform the 5-10 minute test in-house to determine if strep bacteria are present.

Throat Culture Swab

Sometimes a throat culture is also taken to grow and positively identify strep bacteria. This takes 2-3 days but is more sensitive than a rapid test.

How the Test is Done

A long cotton swab gently rubs the back of your throat, tonsils, and any inflamed areas to collect a sample. It's quick and only mildly uncomfortable. Children may find it easier if they open wide and stick out their tongue.

Getting the Best Sample

Don't eat, drink, smoke, or brush your teeth for at least an hour before the test. This removes contaminants that could affect results. Also avoid throat lozenges or sprays beforehand.

Tell the doctor if you have a sensitive gag reflex so they can be extra gentle. Slow, deep breaths through your nose can help minimize discomfort.

Understanding Your Strep Throat Test Results

Knowing how to interpret your strep test results allows appropriate next steps to treat the infection or explore other causes for your sore throat.

Positive Rapid Strep Test

A positive result confirms strep bacteria are present and causing your illness. Your doctor will prescribe a 10-14 day course of antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin to treat the strep infection.

Negative Rapid Strep Test

A negative result means strep likely isn't causing your sore throat. Viral infections don't respond to antibiotics, so these won't be prescribed. Your doctor will focus on symptom relief and monitoring unless a bacterial infection seems likely.

Positive Throat Culture

If a throat culture grows strep bacteria missed by the rapid test, antibiotics can still be started upon getting these delayed results in a couple days.

Negative Throat Culture

This confirms strep is not present. Your doctor will review your symptoms and determine if other testing is needed to find the cause of your illness.

In rare cases, it's possible for both rapid and culture tests to miss strep infection. Let your doctor know if severe throat pain persists despite negative test results.

Treating Strep Throat

Taking prescribed antibiotics fully and properly is key to effectively treating strep infection, preventing spread to others, and avoiding complications.

Oral Antibiotics

Penicillin or amoxicillin are most often prescribed. Taking the antibiotic as directed for the full 10-14 days eradicates the strep bacteria even though symptoms improve sooner.

Rest and Hydration

Getting extra rest allows the body to direct energy towards fighting infection. Drinking plenty of fluids keeps mucous thin, preventing discomfort. Warm teas with honey can particularly soothe sore throats.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Adults can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain and fever relief in conjunction with antibiotics. Throat lozenges or sprays with benzocaine or phenol provide local numbing and pain relief.

Avoid Spreading Infection

Strep is contagious until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Follow prevention tips like covering coughs, not sharing drinks or utensils, and proper hand washing.

Be diligent with the full antibiotic course to help prevent recurrence and reduce transmission risks to others.

When to Seek Emergency Strep Throat Treatment

While strep itself isn't life-threatening, certain complications require prompt medical attention to keep problems from progressing.

Seek Emergency Care if You Have:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing liquids
• Severely swollen throat
• High fever and rash
• Stiff, sore neck
• Severe pain despite treatment

These may indicate retropharyngeal abscess, peritonsillar abscess, mastoiditis, or other serious complications needing immediate treatment.

Concerning Signs to Call Your Doctor About:

• No symptom improvement 2-3 days into antibiotics
• Return of fever after initial improvement
• Onset of new symptoms like sinus pain or earache
• Enlarged lymph nodes or swelling under the jaw

Let your doctor know if antibiotics don't seem to be working or new concerning symptoms develop that could signal complications.

Preventing Strep Throat Complications

You can reduce risks of serious complications by:

• Getting tested promptly at first signs of illness
• Starting and completing prescribed antibiotics
• Staying well hydrated
• Following up if symptoms worsen or don't improve

Catching and properly treating strep infections early is key to preventing progression to more dangerous issues requiring hospital care.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.