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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Strep throat is a relatively common infection in children, particularly in the winter months. While most sore throats are caused by viruses, they are often misdiagnosed as Strep throat. In fact, up to 73% of patients are given antibiotics, which are useless against viruses. The problem is that misuse of antibiotics is the primary reason \u200B&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;J2TVZ2p3Nm07_Q2kPlXqjw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/getting-rid-of-superbugs-1958909&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;for the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Accurate and &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;qtU6YnolSCk8DKAqSsK2hw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-strep-throat-1191987&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;appropriate diagnosis of strep throat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; are important for preventing misuse of antibiotics, as well as prevention of long-term complications associated with Strep throat.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What is Strep Throat?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Strep throat, also known as \u201CStreptococcal Pharyngitis,\u201D is caused &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;EdHuiT2sB7332brPO4otyA&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-a-bacterial-infection-770565&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;by bacterial infection&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; of the inside of the throat. It is caused by the bacterial species Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;EHGHmjqXqziRyUm-UkoTAg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/incubation-period-for-strep-throat-770659&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Group A Strep&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;KFL0Ax7uOANi4Mrc2ZtxvA&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/strep-throat-frequently-asked-questions-1958920&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Strep throat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is a common affliction among school-age children (ages 5 to 15), comprising up to 50% of sore throats.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Are the Common Symptoms of Strep Throat?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;bklkrTnWjRDBVfJe6oz45A&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/strep-throat-1958779&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Symptoms of strep throat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; may include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;Mr2PZjmtxtUJrCcvGRckvw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/sore-throats-1958926&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Sore throat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; that is red and swollen with grayish white patches of pus&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;o29mIVQbnPVB_Pm4rWTcRQ&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/when-is-a-fever-too-high-770347&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;High fever&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; (101 to 104 F is not uncommon in younger children)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Headache&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Swollen lymph nodes&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;Rpvs3foam8pJl1hAiAFIWQ&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/when-to-see-a-doctor-for-abdominal-pain-770762&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Abdominal pain&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and vomiting (sometimes)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Rash (sometimes)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Is it Strep throat or just a cold?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as those responsible for &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;26QV7erQ2fYC_ViQxAxfEg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/can-coming-down-with-a-cold-or-the-flu-cause-neck-pain-1192207&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;causing colds&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Strep throat is not associated &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;AUsyRedd_JnCrKiQ-UjDcw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/allergies-and-infections-can-cause-runny-nose-2634353&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;with runny nose&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, loss of voice, diarrhea, or eye discharge (pinkeye). Most colds are not associated with fever, vomiting, or rash. However, it is possible to have a cold and Strep throat simultaneously, resulting in overlap of symptoms.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;k5_il7NlLTGtEJDsZBldEA&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/diagnosis-of-ent-disorders-1191838&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;For diagnosis of&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; Strep throat, your doctor will look for four conditions:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ol&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Fever higher than 99.9 F&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Patches of pus in the throat&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;YlGTTZ6Y4W7JaKE631IDTw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/lymph-nodes-function-513705&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Swollen lymph nodes&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; in the neck&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Absence of cough&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ol&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If all four conditions are present, the &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;i6vW16aGwQl2buWEWacx3Q&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/strep-throat-symptoms-p2-1191997&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;probability of strep throat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is 56%. The probability decreases with each vanishing condition, going down to less than 2.5% if none of the conditions are present. Based on the presence or absence of these conditions, your doctor will decide whether or not &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;irZd5j_4k8xiqS2bl8EmYQ&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/strep-throat-diagnosis-1958921&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;diagnostic testing&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is needed.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;When should I call the doctor?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you have a sore throat with fever or exhibit any of the other characteristic symptoms, contact your doctor or pediatrician to see if you should be examined or tested for Strep throat.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Why is it important to properly diagnose and treat Strep throat?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The sore throat phase (\u201C&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;SSZaVZuhhReHR-9fa5138w&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-pharyngitis-1191977&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;acute pharyngitis&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;\u201D) of the infection is less alarming than the complications that can arise from the disease. &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;oSaoGiJmpeBnf8a3Gu_qYg&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-are-strep-throat-complications-1192016&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Complications of Strep&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; throat include &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;XAm40ewEFcuGtEULgIMFOw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/rheumatic-fever-1746053&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;18&amp;quot;&amp;gt;rheumatic fever&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; (an immune reaction against part of the heart tissue), &amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;MlLsIoP6K5e53QBUtljOJA&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/rheumatic-heart-disease-1746054&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;19&amp;quot;&amp;gt;rheumatic heart disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and acute glomerulonephritis (&amp;lt;a data-inlink=&amp;quot;vc2I1tX2_0lZJcHbeLMvyw&amp;amp;#61;&amp;amp;#61;&amp;quot; href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/the-statin-drugs-1745269&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;20&amp;quot;&amp;gt;kidney disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;). Heart-related conditions are the primary reason why doctors will treat aggressively with antibiotics.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;cite&amp;gt;Source&amp;lt;/cite&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;cite&amp;gt;Rakel and Bope. Conn\u2019s Current Therapy 2008, 60th ed. \u00A92008 Saunders. An Imprint of Elsevier.&amp;lt;/cite&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/is-it-strep-throat-1958922>