Strep Throat: Common Questions
A throat and tonsil infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Last revised
Strep Throat: the questions people actually ask, answered from published guidance.
Key takeaways
- Most common in: children aged 5 to 15
- Typical symptoms: sore throat that starts quickly, pain swallowing, fever, red swollen tonsils, swollen neck glands
- Most useful single change: See your doctor or urgent care for a strep test if you have a sore throat with fever and no cold symptoms.
- Commonest mistake: Using leftover antibiotics or someone else's prescription.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
What is Strep Throat?
A throat and tonsil infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Why does it matter?
Unlike most sore throats, it is caused by bacteria and needs antibiotics, which shorten the illness, reduce spread and prevent rare complications such as rheumatic fever.
Most common in for Strep Throat?
Children aged 5 to 15.
Typical symptoms for Strep Throat?
Sore throat that starts quickly, pain swallowing, fever, red swollen tonsils, swollen neck glands.
Signs that point to a virus instead for Strep Throat?
Cough, runny nose, hoarseness and pink eye.
Back to school or work for Strep Throat?
After the fever is gone and at least 12 hours of antibiotics.
What is the single most useful thing to do?
See your doctor or urgent care for a strep test if you have a sore throat with fever and no cold symptoms.
What is the most common mistake?
Using leftover antibiotics or someone else's prescription.
When should I see a doctor?
See your doctor if a sore throat lasts more than a few days, comes with a rash, or you do not improve after 48 hours of antibiotics. Call 911 for trouble breathing, being unable to swallow saliva or open the mouth fully, drooling, or a muffled voice with severe throat pain.
Related topics
- Common Childhood Infections: What the Evidence Actually Says (Children's Health)
- The Evidence on Mouth Cancer Awareness, Without the Hype (Oral Health)
- Colds and Flu: What Published Guidance Supports (Immunity)
- Antibiotic Stewardship: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Medicines Safety)
Where to go next
- Strep Throat: The Quick Reference
- Strep Throat: What Published Guidance Supports
- Strep Throat — the reference entry
- Infectious Diseases: The Complete Guide
- Hepatitis A: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
- The Evidence on Tuberculosis Basics, Without the Hype
When to get help
See your doctor if a sore throat lasts more than a few days, comes with a rash, or you do not improve after 48 hours of antibiotics. Call 911 for trouble breathing, being unable to swallow saliva or open the mouth fully, drooling, or a muffled voice with severe throat pain.
Where this comes from
- CDC — About Strep Throat
- MedlinePlus — Strep Throat
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
