Strep throat can worsen and cause problems in other parts of the body. For example, untreated strep can develop into rheumatic fever, which can cause heart problems, arthritis, or kidney problems. If antibiotics are not used to rid the bacteria from the body, the infection could travel to other parts of the body. This could cause dangerous complications, including: • Abscesses (infected pockets) in the throat • Infected lymph nodes in the neck • Middle ear infection • Sinus infection • Rheumatic fever, which can damage the heart, joints, nervous system and skin • Glomerulonephritis, which is a kidney disorder • Strep infection of the skin, including impetigo • Scarlet fever, a red, sandpaper-like rash • Toxic shock syndrome, while rare, this condition is potentially life-threatening