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Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms: A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands; A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours; A fever; A sore throat accompanied by a rash; Problems breathing or swallowing; If strep has been diagnosed, a lack of improvement after taking antibiotics for 48 hours
A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu.
For strep throat, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What's likely causing these signs and symptoms? What are other possible causes? What tests are needed? What treatment approach do you recommend? How soon do you expect symptoms to improve with treatment? How long will this be contagious? When is it safe to return to school or work?
Find out what causes this common affliction, when to see a doctor and what you can do to get relief from a sore throat.
Scarlet fever is caused by the same type of bacteria that causes strep throat — group A streptococcus (strep-toe-KOK-us), also called group A strep. In scarlet fever, the bacteria release a toxin that produces the rash and red tongue.
Rheumatic fever symptoms usually start about 2 to 4 weeks after a strep throat infection. Symptoms are due to swelling, called inflammation, in the heart, joints, skin or central nervous system. There may be few symptoms or several.
Many adults carry group B strep in their bodies — usually in the bowel, vagina, rectum, bladder or throat — and have no signs or symptoms. In some cases, however, group B strep can cause a urinary tract infection or other more-serious infections.
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — one tonsil on each side. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck.
Look for these signs of strep throat: Rapid onset of severe sore throat; Painful swallowing; Fever; Swollen, enlarged lymph nodes in your neck; Tiny red spots back of the throat, the roof of your mouth; Red, swollen tonsils may have white patches or pus; Test for strep throat. The only way to be sure of a strep throat diagnosis is to get tested.
Glomerulonephritis may develop a week or two after recovery from a strep throat infection or, rarely, a skin infection caused by a streptococcal bacteria (impetigo). Inflammation occurs when antibodies to the bacteria build up in the glomeruli.