Why is strep dangerous

Antibiotic therapy begun as late as 9 days after the start of a strep infection will prevent rheumatic fever. Glomerulonephritis may occur after infection with certain strains of strep bacteria.

These infections may include a strep infection of the skin such as impetigo , usually during the summer months, or the throat such as strep throat , usually during the winter months. The condition is relatively rare and goes away without treatment.

But some complications may require treatment. Treatment of strep infection may not prevent inflammation of the kidneys. PANDAS is a term used to describe what happens with some children who have symptoms of certain disorders that get worse following infections such as strep throat or scarlet fever.

The disorders whose symptoms get worse include obsessive compulsive disorder OCD and tic disorders such as Tourette's syndrome. Related Information Tonsillitis Strep Throat.

Group A streptococcal infections. In LK Pickering et al. Credits Current as of: December 2, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information. Previous Section: References Top of the page. This relationship currently remains unproved and controversial. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat infection Open pop-up dialog box Close. Strep throat infection Strep throat usually causes throat pain and difficulty swallowing.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Strep throat: All you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Dec. Pichichero ME. He or she looking for:. Most of the time, strep will give you a sore throat, headache, stomachache, and fever. It probably won't give you a runny nose or cough. First, he or she can do a rapid strep test to check for strep bacteria.

The doctor rubs a cotton swab over the back of your throat. Then, the doctor can find out in a few minutes if you have strep throat. If the first test doesn't prove anything, your doctor might do a longer test called a throat culture. Again, the doctor will use a cotton swab. This time, the sample goes on a special dish and is left to sit for 2 nights. If you have strep throat, the bacteria will usually grow in the dish within 1—2 days.

If you have strep throat, your doctor will give you an antibiotic , a medicine that kills bacteria. To make sure the bacteria go away completely and don't spread to other parts of your body, you must finish all of the medicine. Your doctor will have you take the pills or liquid for 10 days. It's really important to take all 10 days of the medicine to make sure all the bad bacteria are gone. If you don't, you could get sick all over again.