Should I Be Concerned About Strep Throat?

Strep throat is most common among children, but that doesn’t mean that adults can’t get it! In fact, according to the CDC, between 11,000 and 24,000 Americans fall ill to strep throat every year. So, how can you stay away from it?

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis highlights some helpful info on strep throat below, so read on!

What Causes Strep Throat?

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus (also known as group A strep, or GAS). The most common way to get strep throat is by touching your eyes, nose or mouth after being exposed to these bacteria.

Strep throat can also be spread by coughing, sneezing and when you share food or drink with someone infected. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have strep throat, we’ve listed some of its common symptoms below.

Common Strep Throat Symptoms

  • A sudden fever, especially if it’s 101˚F or higher
  • A sore, red throat with white patches
  • A headache
  • Chills
  • A loss of appetite
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Trouble swallowing

What If It’s Just a Sore Throat?

It’s obviously possible to only be dealing with a sore throat, especially during this allergy season. But there is one symptom to be on the lookout for that can help you determine whether you’re dealing with strep throat or not: a cough. While a sore throat is a common symptom of both strep throat and a cold virus, a cough is only a symptom of a cold.

If you have a painful sore throat without a cough, visit your doctor or our AFC center. If your doctor suspects strep throat, he or she will likely perform a rapid strep test to confirm his or her diagnosis. Strep tests provide reliable results and aren’t usually painful.

  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Red or watery eyes
  • Sneezing

Strep throat can cause lots of throat discomfort and is quite contagious. If you suspect that you have strep throat, our team at AFC Urgent Care Memphis is here for you, so don’t hesitate to visit us!