Two different germs cause sore throats – viruses and bacteria. When a sore throat comes on fast, it may be caused by the bacteria streptococci (strep-tuh-kaak-sai), or strep. Strep throat is most common in school-age children, but anyone can get it.
SymptomsA child with strep throat may any of these symptoms:
When a child has a cough, hoarseness, red eyes and runny nose, it may be due to a virus, the flu or a different illness rather than strep. DiagnosisThe doctor or health care provider will examine your child, ask about signs and symptoms, and test for strep.
Treatment with Antibiotics
How to Care For Your ChildThere are things you can do to help your child feel better.
How to Protect Others
When to Call the Doctor or Health Care ProviderCall your child’s doctor or health care provider if they have started taking antibiotics and they:
Strep Throat - Bacterial (PDF), Somali (PDF), Spanish (PDF) HH-I-122 ©11/1989, revised 8/22 Nationwide Children’s Hospital You Might Also Be Interested In
What does early signs of strep throat look like?The most common symptoms of strep throat include:. Sore throat that can start very quickly.. Pain when swallowing.. Fever.. Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus.. Petechiae — pronounced pi-TEE-kee-eye — on the soft or hard palate (tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth). Can strep throat affect your mouth?In addition to a sore throat, symptoms of strep throat can include pain when swallowing, a fever, red and swollen tonsils, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, or swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.
What does strep throat look like vs normal?Signs and symptoms of strep throat are very similar to an ordinary sore throat, but in general strep throat has: White patches on the tonsils or back of the throat. Just a sore throat without cough/cold symptoms like a runny nose or congestion. Swollen lymph nodes (right below the earlobes)
What color is strep throat?White or yellow spots or a coating on the throat and tonsils also might be present, and the lymph nodes along the sides of the neck may swell. Strep throat is most common among school-age children. The infection may cause headaches, stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, and listlessness.
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