Strep throat is a very common infection in America, affecting between 11,000 and 24,000 people every year. While it is a common infection, it can also turn quite severe if not treated quickly and effectively.

Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail provides some more helpful information.

How Sick Will I Be If I Get Strep Throat?

Before you learn what strep can do to your body when left untreated, it’s important to understand what this infection is. According to the CDC, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by a bacteria group called A Streptococcus, or group A strep.

Strep throat is a very treatable infection, but it can cause lots of complications in the body when left untreated. Some of the most notable complications are ear infections, rheumatic fever (an inflammatory disease that affects the joints, heart and skin) and sinusitis. Strep throat is an easy infection to catch, and we’ve listed some common ways people get sick with it below.

Common Ways to Catch Strep Throat

• Breathing in respiratory droplets containing strep bacteria
• Touching something with droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose
• Drinking from the same glass or eat from the same plate as a sick person
• Touching sores on the skin caused by group A strep

When Should I Go to the Doctor?

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms that we’ve listed below, it’s important to visit your doctor within 48 hours to avoid complications.

If your doctor believes you have strep throat, it’s likely that he or she will perform a rapid strep test to confirm the diagnosis. Strep tests provide reliable results and aren’t usually painful.

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

Feeling rough? We’re here for you at AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail, so don’t hesitate to visit us!