Strep Throat (Sore Throat)
Brought to you by the Waynesburg University Student Health Services
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
What is Strep Throat?
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It is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
These bacteria can live in a person’s nose or throat.
How do you get Strep Throat?
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The bacteria are spread through contact and droplets from an infected person’s
cough or sneeze.
If you drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as the sick person, you can
also become ill.
It is also possible to get strep throat from contact with sores from group A strep skin
infections.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
Sore throat, usually starting quickly
Severe pain when swallowing
Fever (101 F or higher)
Red and swollen tonsils with white
patches or streaks of pus
Headache
Nausea and/or vomiting
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Body aches
Tiny red spots on the soft or hard
palate (area in the back of the
roof of the mouth)
Rash
How do you know if you really have strep throat?
A strep test or a swabbing of the throat is needed to tell you if you really have strep
throat; just looking at your throat is not enough to make a diagnosis
Treatment of Strep Throat
The strep test results will help your healthcare professional decide if you need antibiotics,
which can:
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Decrease the length of time you're sick
Reduce your symptoms
Help prevent the spread of infection to friends and family members
Prevent more serious complications, such as tonsil and sinus infections, and acute rheumatic
fever (a rare inflammatory disease that can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain)
You should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call your
healthcare professional if you don't feel better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours. People
with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they have taken
antibiotics for at least 24 hours so they don't spread the infection to others.
Be sure to finish the entire prescription, even when you start feeling better, unless your
healthcare professional tells you to stop taking the medicine. When you stop taking
antibiotics early, you risk getting an infection later that is resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Prevention of Strep Throat
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WASH YOUR HANDS!!!
Avoid sharing eating utensils and cups
If you have strep throat, make sure to wash your hands frequently and cover coughs
and sneezes to prevent the spread of strep.
There is no vaccine to prevent strep throat.
If symptoms do not improve in 48 hours or worsen, please call or return to health services. If
your condition becomes urgent after business hours,
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Contact security 724-852-3303 and/or your Resident Director
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MedExpress Urgent Care is open 7 days a week 8am-8pm
o Phone number: (724) 852-6391
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Washington Health System Greene Emergency Department is open 24 hours
Have more questions? Ask the nurse!
Student Health Services Office Hours
Email:
Monday – Friday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
[email protected]
Phone: 724-852-3332 Fax: 724-852-3366
For more information and facts on this sheet:
Is It Strep Throat?
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Oct. 20, 2014) Is It Strep Throat?. [online] Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/StrepThroat/?mobile=false [Accessed: 26 May 2015].