Upper respiratory tract disease - Strep throat Flashcards
Definition
A bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils that generally causes throat irritation
Aetiology
Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
Strep bacteria can spread, causing infection in the tonsils, sinuses, skin, blood, and middle ear
Can also lead to inflammatory illnesses such as scarlet fever, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation), rheumatic fever, as well as post-streptococcal reactive arthritis
Risk factors
Time of year (tends to circulate in winter/ early spring)
Large crowds/ close contact
Epidemiology
Most common in children (can affect all ages)
Clinical presentation
Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
Painful swallowing
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
Fever
Headache
Rash
Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
Body aches
Prognosis
Normally a self-limiting condition (should be identified and treated with antibiotics to avoid further complications) (has a good prognosis in most cases, depending on the underlying infective cause)
DDX
Allergic reaction to environmental factors like pollen, indoor or outdoor pollutants or medications
Irritant pharyngitis due to gastroesophageal reflux or smoking
Traumatic pharyngitis due to excessive shouting, snoring, or recent tracheal intubation
Aphthous ulcers
Viral pharyngitis due to common viral upper respiratory pathogens like adeno-, rhino-, or coronavirus
Viral pharyngitis due to more serious pathogens like infectious mononucleosis, pandemic coronavirus or HIV
Fungal infections such as oesophageal candidiasis
Bacterial complications such as lymphangitis or peritonsillar or retropharyngeal abscess
