TeenHealthFX - Answers - Concern About Info Presented On Strep Throat

Ear, Nose And Throat / Question
Published: June 10, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Not to criticize your advice too much but I think that it is not a good idea to tell people that strep will just run its course and be done without any antibiotics. I am sure you know that strep can cause serious and even fatal complications if never treated. I think specifically of a woman who left strep untreated and died because the infection spread to her kidneys and put her into complete renal failure before the doctors figured it out. Even though teens are young we aren't dumb. We can handle the real truth and we actually prefer it. Sugar coating things doesn't help us at all. Tell us all the sad, scary things, not just put a happy twist on them.

Signed: Concern About Info Presented On Strep Throat

Dear Concern About Info Presented On Strep Throat,

TeenHealthFX sincerely apologizes if any of our answers have ever sent the message that we see teens as unintelligent or unable to handle the truth about various topics. FX has a great deal of respect for teens and our readers. So we do try our best to present information in a clear and accurate manner – and we are sorry that you felt we fell short of that in our answer about strep throat. So let us clarify below:

FX is assuming you are referring to the question/answer Info On Strep Throat where it was stated that strep throat can go away in 3-7 days with or without treatment. In this particular answer, FX was not trying to sugar coat the issue – this is an accurate statement. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and usually go away on their own. However, it is also possible that strep throat, a bacterial infection, can go away without treatment.

Where we may not have been clear enough – and we will try to rectify that here – is that while strep throat going away on its own is a possibility, FX does not recommend that people ignore any warning signs of strep and wait around for the throat pain to go away. If you think you may have strep throat it is definitely recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can determine whether or not you actually have strep throat, and, if you do, will most likely start you on an antibiotic regimen for three main reasons:

· Antibiotics can kill the bacteria and shorten the time you are contagious. Generally a person is no longer contagious after being on antibiotics for 24 hours.

· An Antibiotic regimen can help prevent certain rare complications. It is possible for strep bacteria to spread to other parts of your body, possibly causing ear infections, sinus infections, or an abscess in or around the tonsils. It is also possible for an untreated strep infection to attack the immune system, causing serious conditions, such as rheumatic fever, which can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a rash and even damage to the heart valves. If untreated, it is also possible for strep throat to lead to complications such as kidney inflammation.

· Antibiotics can relieve discomfort and can speed up healing to a certain degree.

So, to be clear, while it is a possibility that strep throat can go away on its own, it is absolutely recommended that you seek treatment from a medical health professional if you have any reason to believe you may have strep. Read below for common signs and symptoms of strep, as well as some specific guidelines as to when to call the doctor:

Common symptoms of strep in children and adults include:

· Severe and sudden sore throat without coughing, sneezing or other cold symptoms.

· Pain or difficulty with swallowing.

· Fevers over 101F.

· Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

· White or yellow spots or coating on the throat and tonsils.

· Bright red throat or dark red spots on the roof of the mouth at the back near the throat.

· Swollen tonsils (although this symptoms may also be caused by a viral infection)

· Headache

· Childhood symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

· A severe sore throat and fever over 101F that lasts longer than 1-2 days.

· A severe sore throat 2-5 days after being exposed to someone with strep.

· A sore throat that is not part of a cold that lasts longer than 2-3 days despite home treatment.

· A red rash that feels like sandpaper.

· Difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids.

Call a doctor if the following symptoms develop 1-2 weeks or longer after a strep throat infection as these symptoms could indicate rheumatic fever:

· Weakness

· Shortness of breath

· Joint pain

· Raised red rash or lumps under the skin

· Uncontrolled jerking movements of the arms or legs

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment or contact your local teen health center. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

Signed: TeenHealthFX