What is strep throat?

Strep throat is an inflamed (red and swollen) throat caused by infection with bacteria called Streptococci.

How does it occur?

Strep infections are usually passed directly from person to person, but they are sometimes spread by contaminated food. Strep throat is common in school-age children. Children under 2 years old and adults not exposed to children are much less likely to get strep throat. It is most common from November through April.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of strep throat include:

• sore red throat

• painful swallowing

• fever

• chills

• headaches

• muscular aches and pains

• nausea

• tired feeling.

Children may have stomach pain, vomiting, or convulsions.

How is it diagnosed?

The doctor will examine your throat and brush a swab across your throat to get a sample of cells or contents of cells. The sample is sent to the lab for testing. The results will be available within minutes if the rapid slide test is used, or in about 24 hours if the culture test is used.

How is it treated?

If your doctor suspects you have strep, he or she will probably prescribe an antibiotic. This may be given in pill form or by injection. It is very important to take all of the prescribed medication, even after the symptoms have gone away, to prevent the infection from coming back.

How long will the effects last?

After treatment, the symptoms of strep throat may go away as soon as 24 hours. The symptoms rarely last more than 5 days. However, once you've had strep throat, you may be a carrier for several months and still be able to transmit the disease even though you don't have symptoms.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full treatment prescribed by the doctor.

For a sore throat:

• Make sure you have enough fluids. Drink chicken soup, cold drinks, and other clear, nutritious liquids. If it is painful to eat, don't force yourself to eat solid food. Once you can eat, try to eat healthy food.

• Refrain from smoking or breathing second-hand smoke.

• Gargle with salt water.

• Suck on lozenges or hard candy.

• Don't talk a lot.

• Use a vaporizer that puts out cool moisture.

• Put warm compresses on your neck.

If you have a fever, rest and limit your activities until the fever is gone. Ask your doctor if you can take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to control your fever. Anyone under age 21 with a fever should not take aspirin because it increases the risk of Reye's syndrome.

How can I help prevent strep throat?

The following suggestions may help prevent strep throat.

• Avoid close contact with other people until you have been taking the antibiotic for 24 to 48 hours so they will not be exposed to the streptococcal bacteria.

• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze.

• Hand washing is the best method of prevention. Wash your hands before you touch food, dishes, glasses, silverware, or napkins.

• Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.

• Be careful not to let your nose or mouth touch public telephones or drinking fountains.

• Use paper cups and paper towels in bathrooms instead of shared drinking cups and hand towels.

• Don't share food and eating utensils with others.

• If recurrent strep throat is a problem, ask your doctor to check for strep infection in the people you live with or are close to.