Search results
Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as streptococcal sore throat (strep throat), is pharyngitis (an infection of the pharynx, the back of the throat) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive, group A streptococcus.
Nov 7, 2023 · Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that can cause inflammation, irritation and disoloration of the throat. Learn more about recognizing symptoms here.
- Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
- It's an infection of your throat and sometimes tonsils. "Strep" is short for "group A streptococcus," the type of bacteria that causes it. Your throat may get sore and scratchy.
- Strep bacteria spreads easily from person to person. You can get it if you: Breathe in tiny droplets from a sick person's cough or sneeze. Get droplets on your hands and then touch your mouth or nose.
- Besides a sore throat that starts quickly, you can have pain when you swallow, a fever, red and swollen tonsils that sometimes have white patches or streaks of pus, red spots on the roof of your mouth, and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.
- To find out if you have strep, your doctor will swab the back of your throat to get some mucus. A technician will try to grow, or "culture," any bacteria that might be there.
- Common Sore Throat or Something Else? We all know that raw, scratchy feeling in the back of the throat. It could just be dry winter air, seasonal allergies, or a plain old cold.
- Take a Good Look. Grab a flashlight, look in the mirror, and say, "Ahhh." You could find some important clues. You might see white dots or patches in the back of your throat.
- Do You Have Cold Symptoms? If you have a cough and drippy nose along with your sore throat, that could be good news. You may feel crummy, but you're less likely to have a serious infection.
- Do You Have a Fever? Colds can cause a fever, but it’s usually just a mild one. If you have a sore throat and a fever over 101 F, it's more likely to be a throat infection like strep than a simple cold.
Pharyngitis is a type of upper respiratory tract infection. [7] Most cases are caused by a viral infection. [2] . Strep throat, a bacterial infection, is the cause in about 25% of children and 10% of adults. [2] .
May 16, 2024 · Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus, which is also known as Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacteria lives in the nose and...
People also ask
Is strep throat a bacterial infection?
What is streptococcal pharyngitis?
What is strep throat?
What is Streptococcus pyogenes?
Is strep throat contagious?
What causes strep throat?
Feb 6, 2023 · Dr. Heinz F. Eichenwald/CDC. How contagious is strep throat? Strep throat is a highly contagious bacterial infection. It usually spreads through small respiratory droplets that become airborne...
