Small children frequently have symptoms too mild for diagnosis. Risk factors include recent strep throat in family or household members. The incidence is 5 out of 1000 people. Many cases are not preventable. However, note that throat lozenges and sprays may aggravate this condition rather than provide relief.
Treatment prevents serious complications associated with streptococcal infections.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have had streptococcal pharyngitis and symptoms of complications develop. Other throat infections can cause a similar appearance and it is difficult to differentiate strep from other causes by simply looking at the throat. A culture should be analyzed to determine the cause of severe throat irritation. A cross-section illustration of the mouth, nasal cavity, and throat. The nasal passages are also visible.