Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a sore throat. It is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, also known as Streptococcus pyogenes. This infection is highly contagious and spreads easily through close personal contact, meaning it can be passed by kissing.
How Strep Throat Spreads
Strep throat spreads primarily through direct person-to-person contact, especially in close proximity. This includes intimate contact like kissing, as the bacteria reside in the nose and throat of an infected person.
When an infected individual coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings, they release respiratory droplets containing the bacteria into the air. Others can become infected by inhaling these droplets.
Transmission also occurs when someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their own mouth, nose, or eyes. The bacteria can survive on surfaces. Sharing personal items such as food, drinks, or eating utensils also facilitates spread.
Identifying Strep Throat
Symptoms of strep throat appear about two to five days after exposure. Common indicators include a sore throat, pain when swallowing, and fever.
The throat and tonsils may appear red and swollen, sometimes showing white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, known as petechiae, can also be present.
Other symptoms include chills, headache, stomach ache, nausea, or vomiting, particularly in younger children. Symptoms like cough or runny nose are more commonly associated with viral infections and are less typical for strep throat.
Accurate diagnosis requires professional medical testing, as self-diagnosis is unreliable due to symptom overlap. A rapid strep test or a throat culture, which involves swabbing the back of the throat, confirms the presence of Group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Stopping the Spread and Getting Well
Preventing the spread of strep throat involves several practical steps. Frequent hand washing with soap and water is important, especially after coughing or sneezing and before eating. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used.
Avoiding sharing personal items like eating utensils, cups, and toothbrushes helps limit transmission. Infected individuals should cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, not their hands, and dispose of tissues properly. Staying home from work, school, or daycare until no longer contagious also protects others.
Strep throat requires antibiotic treatment to prevent potential complications, such as rheumatic fever, which can damage the heart, or kidney inflammation. Penicillin and amoxicillin are commonly prescribed antibiotics. It is important to complete the entire course of medication, even if symptoms improve. This ensures the infection is fully cleared and reduces the risk of complications and continued spread. An infected person is no longer contagious after 24 hours of starting antibiotics.