What is Step Throat?

Most sore throats are caused by viruses. Symptoms are mild and go away in a few days. But strep throat is more serious. It is caused by a certain type of bacteria. It can pass from one person to another when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Strep throat mainly affects children between 3 and 15 years old. But adults can get it too. Someone who has strep throat usually has:

• Bad throat pain, especially when swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils
• Tender, swollen neck glands
• Fever and chills
• Stomach ache
• Vomiting in young children
• Yellow or white dots of pus in the back of the throat

Symptoms often appear suddenly, without a cough or cold. If you or your child has any of these symptoms, see your primary care practitioner (PCP) right away.

When you see your PCP, he or she will ask how you feel, look at your throat and give you a strep test. Your PCP will either give you a rapid strep test or throat culture. Either test will tell your PCP if you have a strep throat infection.

If you have strep throat, your PCP will prescribe antibiotics.You should still take all of your medicines even if you feel better. But if you have a virus and not strep throat, antibiotics will not be prescribed. They have no affect on viruses. It is bad to take antibiotics when you don’t really need them. It could be harder to kill bacteria the next time you do need them.