Family medicine

Strep throat

Group A streptococcal pharyngitis—testing, antibiotics when indicated, and complication awareness.

What it is

Group A Streptococcus causes bacterial sore throat most often in school-aged children but can affect adults. Clinical scores (Centor/McIsaac) help decide testing. The CDC group A strep pharyngitis page summarizes public concepts.

Viral pharyngitis is more common overall—antibiotics are reserved for confirmed or strongly suspected strep to reduce complications and transmission.

Symptoms

Severe throat pain, painful swallowing
Fièvre, frissons
Adénopathies cervicales antérieures sensibles
Exsudat tonsillaire, petites taches sur palais (parfois)
Absence de toux évocatrice de virus (indices cliniques)
Scarlatine : éruption sableuse, langue framboisée

Common causes

Transmission par gouttelettes ; période contagieuse diminuée après 24 h d’antibiothérapie adéquate.

When to see a doctor

Urgence : détresse respiratoire, hypersalivation (abcès rétropharyngé), déshydratation sévère, ou rash généralisé avec fièvre après amoxicilline (réaction possible—avis médical).

How we can help

Test rapide ou stratégie culture ; pénicilline ou amoxicilline souvent de première intention si non allergique ; macrolides si allergie vraie documentée. Analgésiques, hydratation, et surveillance des complications (rhumatisme articulaire aigu, glomérulonéphrite—rares si traitement approprié).

Frequently asked questions

Often after 24 hours of antibiotics and when fever-free and well enough to participate—follow school policies and public health guidance.

Yes when clinical features suggest bacterial pharyngitis—viral causes are common in adults, so testing reduces unnecessary antibiotics.

It is a rare inflammatory complication of untreated strep in susceptible people—treating strep throat reduces risk. It remains more relevant in certain populations and settings.

Usually not routinely—public health guidance may differ during outbreaks. Ask your clinician if someone at home is high-risk.