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Having strep throat does mean having a sore throat. But not every sore throat is strep throat. People often get sore throats due to a virus, but strep is different because it's caused by a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils.
It gets its name from the type of bacteria that causes it: group A Streptococcus, or group A strep.
Anyone can get strep throat, but it's more common in children, especially those between 5 and 15 years old. And it's more prevalent during the colder months when people spend more time together indoors and in close contact, especially in schools and daycare centers.
While it can look different from person to person, recognizing strep is key for early diagnosis and treatment. Strep will not go away on its own.
But with proper treatment, it should resolve in seven to 10 days. If you or your child have been exposed to strep throat, it can take two to five days for symptoms to develop.
While strep throat is a mild illness in most cases, it can be very painful. A severe and persistent sore throat that comes on suddenly and looks red is a telltale sign of strep.
If you have a cough, runny nose and congestion, a virus or allergies are likely causing the discomfort -- not strep. Symptoms of strep do not include those of the common cold.
Strep throat is highly contagious and spreads through close contact with others. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks, tiny respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria are released into the air. You can be infected if you breathe in those droplets -- or transfer them to your nose or mouth by kissing, sharing cups or utensils or eating from the same plate as a person who's infected.
Even if you don't exhibit any symptoms, you can still be contagious.
However, people who are sick with strep are more contagious than those who don't have any symptoms.
Fortunately, once you've been treated with antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours, you're no longer contagious.
Because strep throat is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are the standard treatment to kill the bacteria causing it, which eases symptoms, controls spread and prevents complications.
Typically, doctors prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin in pill or liquid form for 10 days, but you should start to feel better after a day or two on the antibiotics.
If repeated cases of strep throat occur in your family, talk to your provider. Someone in the household could be a strep carrier, where the bacteria lives in their throat, but it's not making them sick. Treating it may prevent repeated cases.
Dr. Kevin Ly works at Geisinger family medicine in Elysburg.