What causes strep throat?
Q: What causes strep throat?
A: Strep throat is caused by the bacteria called “Group A Streptococcus”.
Q: What parts of the throat does strep throat affect?
A: Strep throat affects the throat and the tonsils. The tonsils are the two glands in the throat at the back of the mouth. Strep throat can also affect the voice box (larynx).
Q: What are common symptoms of strep throat?
A: Common symptoms of strep throat include fever, throat pain (also called a sore throat), and swollen glands (called lymph nodes) in the neck.
Q: What percentage of sore throats among children are caused by strep throat?
A: Strep throat causes 37% of sore throats among children.
Q: How does strep throat spread?
A: Strep throat spreads through close contact with a sick person.
Q: What test is needed to confirm that a person has strep throat?
A: To be sure that a person has strep throat, a test called a throat culture is needed.
Q: How do antibiotics help a person with strep throat?
A: Antibiotics can help a person with strep throat by killing the bacteria that cause the illness. They are used mostly to prevent complication such as rheumatic fever rather than to shorten the length of sickness.
