Strep throat is known to cause a severe sore throat. Although sore throats can occur for many different reasons, strep throat differs quite a bit from just having sore throat. The infection is caused by streptococcus bacteria. Streptococcus, as opposed to the virus responsible for the common cold, is quite potent and usually leads to a severe sore throat. Let's take a closer look in this article as to how it's transmitted and how to detect it.

If you’re experiencing a severe sore throat, you may have strep throat. Visit AFC Urgent Care Back Bay for same-day symptom diagnosis and treatment. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood!

Causes of Strep Throat

Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection. Unlike common illnesses like colds or the flu, bacterial infections tend to cause longer-lasting and more severe symptoms than viral infections. Strep throat is very contagious, and there are a few ways that you can contract strep throat from someone who is sick. Although strep throat doesn’t typically cause sneezing or coughing, you can contract strep throat through tiny airborne droplets released by someone who is sick coughing or talking.

Being in close contact with people down with strep throat, especially in places like schools, offices, etc, puts you at high risk of inhaling the infectious droplets packed with strep. Combining this frequent and close contact, especially if you're living with someone already infected, makes the risk much more palpable. Strep throat is also spread by sharing items like utensils, cups, or toothbrushes. The bacteria can survive long enough on these items for another person to touch them and then transfer them to their mouth.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

Strep throat often is asymptomatic for the first few days of infection. Symptoms can appear suddenly and tend to be severe with symptoms such as a fever and severe sore throat occurring.

• Chills
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Swelling in the tonsils
• Swelling in the lymph nodes
• Difficulty eating
• Pain and difficulty when eating
• Difficulty swallowing

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for strep throat typically requires antibiotics. While at-home remedies can help manage symptoms temporarily, bacterial infections can be aggressive and require medications to treat properly. Seeking medical treatment quickly can help reduce the risk of developing severe symptoms from strep throat. Gargling with warm salt water, getting plenty of rest, and eating soft foods are all recommended forms of self-care when you have strep throat to help keep symptoms at bay. However, antibiotics are the best form of treatment.

Visit AFC Back Bay for Strep Throat Treatment in Boston, MA

Strep throat is a serious illness that can lead to severe discomfort and long-lasting symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms of strep throat, it is important that you seek medical care for proper treatment. At AFC Urgent Care Back Bay, our clinic is equipped to expertly diagnose and care for cases of strep throat. We never require that you schedule an appointment, simply walk into the clinic for same-day care!