Strep Throat

Strep throat is a highly-contagious bacterial infection that makes your throat feel sore and scratchy. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and clear up on their own; only a small portion are actually caused by the Streptococcus bacteria.

Symptoms:

• Throat pain and difficulty swallowing
• Red or swollen tonsils
• Tiny red spots at the back of your mouth
• Swollen and tender neck glands
• Fever and headache
• Rash
• Stomach ache and vomiting

Treatment:

It is possible to have several of the above symptoms and not have strep throat. For this reason, a MedExpress provider will test specifically for strep throat before prescribing any antibiotics. In addition to antibiotics, ways to feel better include getting plenty of water and rest, eating soft foods that are easy on the throat, and gargling a glass of warm salt water several times a day.

Prevention:

• Washing your hands often
• Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Not sharing utensils or drinking glasses

Download printable PDF (1.7MB)