Sore Throat

Strep throat is the leading bacterial cause of a sore throat. However, there are other more common causes of a sore throat including: viruses, allergens, post-nasal drip, environmental irritants and other types of bacteria. While it can be tricky, TelaConsult can help you determine the source of your sore throat. This is important because most sore throats don’t need antibiotics, yet for strep throat antibiotics are an effective treatment. An appropriate antibiotic can relieve symptoms of strep throat, reduce the length of illness, prevent serious complications, and prevent the spread to family and friends.

Strep throat can be diagnosed with a throat culture or strep swab, but sometimes the diagnosis is made if certain symptoms are present or absent. Most typical symptoms include sudden onset of sore throat, fever, headache, stomach ache and nausea. Often the lymph nodes around the neck will be swollen and tender and the tonsils can become red, swollen and have pus pockets. Notable absent symptoms usually include a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and hoarseness. However, in my experience a slight cough can be present with strep throat due to the scratchy sensation in back of the throat.

Symptoms usually develop two to five days after exposure to strep from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. It is also possible to be exposed from sharing a plate, cup or utensil with someone infected. Uncomplicated strep throat usually lasts three to five days and usually gets better without treatment.

The goal of antibiotic therapy is to relieve symptoms, prevent spread, prevent serious complications, and decrease the duration of the illness. Other treatments focus on controlling fever and pain with ibuprofen and tylenol while staying hydrated with plenty of appropriate fluids. Of course the best treatment is prevention. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and don’t share tableware.

You should start feeling better a day or two after starting antibiotics. When you have no fever and have been on antibiotics for 24 hours you aren’t as contagious and can return to work or school. Seek care if you are worried about your illness, your symptoms are worsening, or you fail to improve after a couple days of antibiotics. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, confusion, or severe pain. Life threatening complications can occur and prompt treatment is important.

If you have any questions or concerns about whether you may have strep throat or need testing, treatment, or antibiotics, consult with TelaConsult today! We will be happy to help and advise you on the level of care you need and if appropriate we will send you a prescription for antibiotics.

David Schaefer, M.D.

Resources

“CDC Features.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Jan. 2018, www.cdc.gov/Features/StrepThroat/.

“Disease of the Week.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Jan. 2018, www.cdc.gov/dotw/strepthroat/index.html.

“Pharyngitis (Strep Throat).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Sept. 2016, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/strep-throat.html.

Pichichero, Michael. “Treatment and Prevention of Streptococcal Pharyngitis.” UpToDate, 10 Apr. 2018, www.uptodate.com.

Schmitt, Barton. “Strep Throat Infection.” Pediatric Advisor: Strep Throat Infection, 23 Nov. 2009, www.abcdpediatrics.com/advisor/pa/pa_strepthr_hhg.htm.