Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection primarily caused by *Streptococcus pyogenes*, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS). It predominantly affects the pharynx and sometimes the tonsils. The condition is characterized by a sudden onset of sore throat, pain on swallowing, and fever. Other symptoms can include red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus, tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate), swollen, tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck (cervical lymphadenopathy), and headache or abdominal pain. Notably, symptoms like coughing and nasal congestion are typically absent, helping to differentiate strep throat from viral upper respiratory infections.

Diagnosis of strep throat is confirmed through a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) or a throat culture. RADTs offer quick results, but throat cultures are more accurate and can detect nearly all cases of strep throat. Treatment typically involves oral antibiotics, with penicillin or amoxicillin being the first-line treatments. Antibiotic therapy helps to reduce the duration of symptoms, decrease transmission to others, and prevent complications such as rheumatic fever or peritonsillar abscess. Symptomatic care may include analgesics and antipyretics to relieve pain and fever.