Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. streptococcal pharyngitisStrep throat, see there. A common bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils, esp. in children between the ages of 5 and 15, typically characterized by fever, sore throat, painful swallowing, exudates on the tonsils, and swollen anterior cervical lymph nodes. The disease is caused by infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci and may be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including penicillins and macrolides. It may occasionally produce late complications, including rheumatic fever or poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Synonym: strep throatSee also: pharyngitisPatient discussion about streptococcal pharyngitisQ. My friend think she has strep in her throat. What should she do. She doesn't want to take antibiotics. Her glands are swollen and she feels kinda out of it. Any more information or links would be greatly appreciated. A. she should go to a Dr. that will take a look and a swab of the area. if he'll suspect a Strep. he'll give her antibiotics before getting results. it's important to follow antibiotic instructions ("10 days, 3 times a day".. ).those infection can progress to other organs like the heart valves (very common) and cause chronic heart failure. More discussions about streptococcal pharyngitis