Are you dealing with a painful sore throat? If so, it’s possible that you could have strep throat. While strep throat is more common among children and teens, it can affect adults, too.

Learn more about strep throat and its potential complications from our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team below!

What Is Strep Throat?

According to the CDC, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus.

Strep lives in the nose and throat and the contagious bacteria can be spread through the air or by contact. If you experience any of the symptoms that we’ve listed below, you likely have strep throat.

Common Strep Throat Symptoms

• Sudden sore throat
• Red tonsils that have white spots on them
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Swollen neck glands
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Abdominal pain

Is Strep Throat Dangerous?

Not typically. Strep throat is a highly treatable infection, but it can cause health problems if it isn’t treated quickly and effectively.

Since strep throat is a bacterial infection, it won’t go away on its own. If you or your child gets strep, antibiotics will be necessary to get rid of the bacteria and prevent it from spreading through the rest of the body. If the bacteria spreads, it can cause devastating complications, such as the ones we’ve listed below.

Potential Complications Caused By Untreated Strep Throat

• Abscesses (infected pockets) in your throat
• Infected lymph nodes in the neck
• Middle ear infection
• Sinus infection
• Rheumatic fever, which can cause damage to the heart, joints, nervous system and skin
• Scarlet fever—a bright red, sandpaper-like rash that starts on the face and neck and spreads through the body; it can be caused by strep throat or strep skin infections
• Toxic shock syndrome—a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by strep bacteria releasing toxins into the body

Need a strep test? If so, we can help, so don’t hesitate to stop by our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville center today!