How is strep throat transmitted

The resulting syndrome is called scarlet fever or scarlatina. Respiratory disease caused by group A strep infection in children younger than 3 years old rarely manifests as acute pharyngitis. In contrast to typical acute group A strep pharyngitis, this presentation in young children is subacute and high fever is rare.

Group A strep pharyngitis is most commonly spread through direct person-to-person transmission. Typically transmission occurs through saliva or nasal secretions from an infected person. People with group A strep pharyngitis are much more likely to transmit the bacteria to others than asymptomatic pharyngeal carriers. Crowded conditions — such as those in schools, daycare centers, or military training facilities — facilitate transmission.

Although rare, spread of group A strep infections may also occur via food. Foodborne outbreaks of pharyngitis have occurred due to improper food handling. Fomites, such as household items like plates or toys, are very unlikely to spread these bacteria.

Humans are the primary reservoir for group A strep. There is no evidence to indicate that pets can transmit the bacteria to humans.

People with group A strep pharyngitis or scarlet fever should stay home from work, school, or daycare until:. Group A strep pharyngitis can occur in people of all ages. It is most common among children 5 through 15 years of age. It is rare in children younger than 3 years of age. The most common risk factor is close contact with another person with group A strep pharyngitis. Adults at increased risk for group A strep pharyngitis include:. Crowding, such as found in schools, military barracks, and daycare centers, increases the risk of disease spread.

The differential diagnosis of acute pharyngitis includes multiple viral and bacterial pathogens. Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis in all age groups. History and clinical examination can be used to diagnose viral pharyngitis when clear viral symptoms are present. Viral symptoms include:. Patients with clear viral symptoms do not need testing for group A strep. However, clinicians cannot use clinical examination to differentiate viral and group A strep pharyngitis in the absence of viral symptoms.

Clinicians need to use either a rapid antigen detection test RADT or throat culture to confirm group A strep pharyngitis. RADTs have high specificity for group A strep but varying sensitivities when compared to throat culture.

Throat culture is the gold standard diagnostic test. See the resources section for specific diagnosis guidelines for adult and pediatric patients 1,2,3.

Clinicians should confirm group A strep pharyngitis in children older than 3 years of age to appropriately guide treatment decisions. Giving antibiotics to children with confirmed group A strep pharyngitis can reduce their risk of developing sequela acute rheumatic fever. It happens a lot in kids and teens, especially during the school year when big groups of kids are together.

Strep throat is spread when healthy people come into contact with someone who has it. The bacteria can spread to you when a person with strep throat sneezes, coughs, or blows his or her nose and you're nearby, or if you share the same forks, spoons, or straws. If you get strep throat, you'll start to feel sick within 5 days after you were around the person who gave it to you.

If someone in your house has strep throat, you might get it. But following these tips can help protect you:. Strep throat is no fun, but after feeling sick for 2 or 3 days, most kids start getting back to normal. In other words, they feel less streppy and more peppy! Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.

What Is Strep Throat? He or she looking for: a red throat swollen tonsils white or yellow spots on your tonsils small red spots in the roof of your mouth Most of the time, strep will give you a sore throat, headache, stomachache, and fever. To be sure you have strep throat, your doctor may do one or two tests: First, he or she can do a rapid strep test to check for strep bacteria.

Is Strep Throat Contagious? Can I Prevent Strep Throat? But following these tips can help protect you: Make sure the person with strep throat covers his or her mouth when sneezing and coughing. Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils. Strep throat usually needs to be treated with antibiotics.

With the proper medical care — and plenty of rest and fluids — most kids get back to school and play within a few days. Aspirin should not be given to children. Not all sore throats are strep-infected throats. Often, kids have a sore throat because of a virus , which will usually clear up without medical treatment. If you suspect that you have strep throat, you should see your doctor in order to get tested and begin treatment.

Penicillin or amoxicillin are typically used to treat strep throat. Antibiotics may help you feel better faster. Be sure to finish your entire course of antibiotics, though unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter OTC medications such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin or acetaminophen Tylenol to help with your symptoms. Individuals with a sore throat, especially if accompanied by fever or other associated symptoms, should consider consulting a healthcare professional. It is often too difficult to know definitively whether or not strep throat is present without a professional evaluation.