OPINIONS: How do I know if I have strep throat?

Strep throat, or streptococcal pharyngitis, is a bacterial infection of the throat. It does indeed cause a painful sore throat, along with a fever, usually over 100 degrees, swollen glands, headache, and sometimes generalized achiness and just plain feeling badly.

Some people, children especially, also have abdominal pain and nausea. If someone has been exposed to a case of strep throat in the last two weeks and suddenly develops a sore throat with fever, that’s a good clue that they probably have strep throat.

Sore throat can also be caused from things other than strep, like viruses. Viruses tend to cause other symptoms, like cough, congestion, and stuffy nose, along with the sore throat. Antibiotics won’t treat sore throats caused by viral infections. Your healthcare provider may do a rapid strep test as well as a culture, in addition to their clinical assessment, in order to accurately diagnose or rule out strep. If the tests are negative, antibiotics aren’t needed.

However, true strep throat should be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics will shorten the duration of symptoms, help prevent the spread of strep, as well as prevent complications of strep throat. Your doctor may tell you to stay home from school or work until you (or your child) has been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

As always, good handwashing will help prevent the spread of many illnesses!

Beth Heath is the county nurse manager for the Madison County Health Department.