Yes, it is! Strep throat is a common bacterial infection—especially among young children and adolescents. It often spreads during the winter when kids are at school, but it’s preventable and highly treatable.

Our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood team further highlights strep throat below, so keep reading.

What Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus. It’s contagious, and it most spreads by inhaling airborne droplets that contain the bacteria, but it can also be spread by coming in contact with the bacteria, too.

Like we said earlier, strep throat is more common during the winter months, so it’s important to be on the lookout for the symptoms that we’ve listed below.

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

What Happens If Strep Throat Isn’t Treated?

Since strep throat is a bacterial infection, it needs to be treated to avoid spreading to other parts of the body. If strep bacteria spreads, it can lead to serious complications, such as the ones we’ve listed in the section below.

To reduce your risk of getting strep throat this winter, it’s important to stick to proper hygiene, such as washing your hands often, avoiding people who are sick, covering your mouth when you cough and not sharing personal items.

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.

Are you or your child feeling under the weather? If so, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood center to get the treatment you need to feel better.