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Last reviewed on: 7/19/2021
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Though strep throat (streptococcus) is often very painful and highly contagious, it doesn’t often require a trip to the emergency room. However, in some rare cases, patients with extreme symptoms should seek emergency medical attention for proper care.
Keep reading to learn when you should visit our team at Quality Care ER for strep throat treatment.
Emergency Signs of Strep Throat
Most patients with strep throat will notice that their lymph nodes are swollen and that the back of their throat has white pus, causing them to fear that something is wrong. While it’s true that if you have an extremely sore throat and a fever you should get tested for strep, not every case requires a trip to the ER.
What are the Symptoms of Strep Throat?
In general, if your sore throat lasts longer than a few days and is accompanied by other serious symptoms, you should seek emergency care. Some emergency symptoms of strep throat include:
- Joint pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Inability to swallow
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Rash
Limiting Your Chances of Getting Sick
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tonsils which is transmitted by direct contact with the mucus or sores of someone else with the illness. Whether you’re concerned with contracting strep throat, the flu, or another virus, the good news is that you can take steps to protect yourself and your family:
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Strep throat is most common in children, but it affects people of all ages. If you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat, see your doctor for prompt testing and treatment.
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Symptoms
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Strep throat infection
Strep throat infection
Strep throat usually causes throat pain and difficulty swallowing. This photo of strep throat shows inflammation and red spots, caused by the infection.
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
- Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
- Painful swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
- Body aches
It's possible for you or your child to have many of these signs and symptoms but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other illness. That's why your doctor generally tests specifically for strep throat.
It's also possible for you to be exposed to a person who carries strep but shows no symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms:
- A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands
- A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours
- A fever
- A sore throat accompanied by a rash
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- If strep has been diagnosed, a lack of improvement after taking antibiotics for 48 hours
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