Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

• Sore throat that comes on rapidly.
• Fever, sometimes greater than 102° F.
• Back of the throat that is raw and red.
• White pus on tonsils.
• Tender, high lymph nodes in neck.
• Absence of cough, stuffy nose, or other upper-respiratory symptoms.

Although by definition strep throat is caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bug, other bacteria can occasionally invade the throat and cause similar symptoms. Other possible invaders: staphylococcus, neisseria, and Hemophilus influenzae.

People usually develop strep throat when their immune systems are not functioning at their peak. Stress, overwork, exhaustion, and fights with viral infections can weaken the body's defenses and set up attacks of strep throat. And like other throat infections, strep throat also tends to occur during the colder months.