Yes, it is. Strep throat is a bacterial infection, and bacterial infections almost always need antibiotics to be adequately treated.

Our AFC Urgent Care Easley team shares some further info on strep throat below, so keep reading!

What Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. It’s a relatively common infection, as between 11,000 and 13,000 cases happen every year, according to the CDC. It can be spread by inhaling respiratory droplets and touching your nose, face or mouth after coming in contact with the strep bacteria.

If you experience any of the symptoms that we’ve listed below alongside your sore throat, it’s possible that you have strep throat, and you should visit our AFC center within 48 hours to get the necessary treatment.

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

Is Strep Throat Cause for Serious Concern?

Not typically. If it’s left untreated, though, strep throat can potentially cause life-altering side effects and complications if the bacteria spread throughout the body.

If you test positive for strep throat and don’t get antibiotics to knock out the bacteria, you could face one or multiple of the problems that we’ve listed below.

Complications Caused By Untreated Strep Throat

• Rheumatic fever—an autoimmune disease that may develop after a strep throat infection. It’s especially common among children ages 5–15, although older teens and adults may develop the disease.
• Otitis media—when strep throat bacteria move into the inner ear and cause an ear infection. Bacteria in the inner ear can cause severe pain, dizziness and nausea.
• Meningitis—occurs when the fluid surrounding the membranes of the brain and spinal cord become infected. In rare cases, meningitis can be fatal.
• Pneumonia—when the bacteria that cause strep throat move into the lungs.
• Toxic shock syndrome—in rare cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream. If the bacteria release toxins in multiple organs while in the bloodstream, it causes toxic shock syndrome, which can result in catastrophic organ failure.

Do you think you may have strep throat? If so, visit our AFC center to get a strep test to confirm your diagnosis.