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Streptococcal pharyngitis or streptococcal sore throat (Strep throat AmE) is a form of group A streptococcal infection[1] that affects the pharynx and possibly the larynx and tonsils.
Streptococcal pharyngitis usually appears suddenly with a severe sore throat that may make talking or swallowing painful. In severe cases, breathing may be impaired.
Signs and symptoms may include:
Additional symptoms such as sinusitis, vaginitis or impetigo be present if the strep bacteria infects both the throat and a secondary location. For additional information on non-pharynx symptoms, see Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infection.
There are several causes for pharyngitis, not just streptococcus bacteria. Productive coughing, nasal discharge, and red, irritated eyes in addition to fever and sore throat are more indicative of a viral sore throat than of strep throat, though a co-infection with a virus is possible and may explain the presence of these additional symptoms. A Rapid Strep Test or a throat culture may be undertaken to help clarify diagnosis.
The presence of marked lymph node enlargement along with sore throat, fever and tonsillar enlargement may also occur in infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever).[3]
A study of 729 patients with pharyngitis, in which 17% had a positive throat culture for group A streptococcus, identified the following four best predictors of streptococcus, also called the Centor criteria:[4]
Another study on 621 patients, assigned one point for each of the following symptoms:[6]
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