Strep Throat

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Strep throat is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15. It can happen in younger children and in adults, but is unusual before the third birthday. Children younger than 3 can get strep infections, but these are usually not primarily of the throat.

Strep throat is most common in the late fall, winter, and early spring. The infection is spread by person-to-person contact with nasal secretions or saliva, often among family or household members.

People with strep throat get sick an average of 3 days after they are exposed. (The range is 2"5 days.) The illness usually begins suddenly, with a fever that peaks on the second day. Many also have sore throat, headache, stomachache, nausea, or chills.

In some people, strep throat is very mild, with only a few of these symptoms. In others, strep throat is severe. There are many strains of strep. Some strains produce toxins that can lead to a scarlet fever rash. This rash is thought to be an allergic reaction to these toxins. Untreated, strep throat can sometimes lead to rheumatic fever. Kidney complications are among the other possibilities.