Watch Out for These Symptoms—It May Be Strep Throat!
Not sure if your sore throat is just a sore throat? Here’s how to tell if group A strep bacteria is causing it.
Are you experiencing a sore throat and find that it keeps getting worse with each day that passes? Wondering if it’s just one of the many viruses circulating through the community or if it could be strep throat?
The only way to know for sure if you have strep throat is to get a quick test at the doctor’s office. These symptoms may be a sign that you should get tested.
Signs of Strep Throat
“Strep throat may not feel much different than having a sore throat that accompanies any type of common virus, like the cold, flu or COVID-19,” said Isaiah Ho MD, PIH Health family medicine physician in Cerritos. “But it can also feel a lot worse and be very painful.”
Here are common symptoms of this condition:
- A sore throat that starts very quickly
- Pain when swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Small white patches on the tonsils
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Fever
Other symptoms may include headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
It is important to note that strep throat does not cause a cough, runny nose or hoarseness. “If you have these symptoms accompanying your sore throat, it is more likely that a virus is causing your illness and not strep throat. This is why it is important to consult your doctor,” says Dr. Ho.
Causes of Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection and is not caused by a virus. It is caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus and is very contagious. Group A Streptococcus can spread from person to person by:
- Coming into contact with respiratory droplets (by coughing, sneezing or talking)
- Directly touching infected sores on the skin of someone with impetigo, which is also caused by group A strep bacteria.
It typically takes 2 – 5 days to become sick after being exposed to group A strep bacteria.
Risk Factors for Strep Throat
Anyone can get strep throat but there are a few things that may increase your risk, shares Dr. Ho. These include:
- Age – School-aged children ages 5 – 15 are more likely to get strep than adults or younger children. Adults are more at risk if they are parents of school-aged children or are often in contact with children.
- Location – You or your child are more likely to get strep if you spend time in group settings, where close contact is more common. This includes schools, daycare settings and military training facilities. You’re also more likely to get strep throat if you live with someone who has the illness.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Strep Throat
“If a doctor thinks you have strep throat after hearing about your symptoms and doing a physical exam, they will likely test for strep,” says Dr. Ho, “This is a quick test that involves swabbing your throat to see if the group A strep bacteria is present.”
If the test is positive, antibiotics are prescribed to treat the infection. You should start feeling better in a day or two after beginning the antibiotics. However, even if you start to feel better, the entire course of antibiotics should be taken as prescribed to prevent a recurrence of the infection.
Still Unsure Whether You Have Strep Throat?
Always consult your doctor. It is best to establish a relationship with a primary care physician, in case your sore throat requires medical attention. Visit our website to learn more about Dr. Ho or visit PIHHealth.org/Doctor to find a doctor near you.
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Isaiah Ho MD
Isaiah Ho MD is a board-certified family medicine doctor who completed a residency at PIH Health Whittier Hospital with a focus on preventative medicine. Dr. Ho was exposed to medicine at a young age with many family members being sick and going in and out of the hospital. He saw first-hand the care and support provided by the hospital staff and was motivated to pursue a career in medicine to help heal and comfort patients. Going through medical school he loved every subject and did not want to limit himself to one particular area, so family medicine was the perfect match. Additionally, he loved teaching and connecting with people on a personal level, so he realized that being in a field where he could teach lifestyle and preventative medicine would allow him to do what he loves. Dr. Ho comes from an engineering mindset, which is all about systems improvements and problem solving. He realized that his love of problem solving and helping others make him an excellent primary care physician. Dr. Ho ran distance track and cross country in high school and is a huge NBA fan. In his personal time he enjoys hiking, visiting Disney parks, watching movies and trying new restaurants.
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