There can be multiple reasons why someone’s throat hurts or feels unusual.

It could be a bad cold, but it could also be strep throat, which is usually not life threatening, but it can be, local doctors said.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is caused by a special type of bacteria called group A streptococcus, said Dr. Svitlana Zhukivska, a family medicine specialist at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

“It’s called strep throat because this type of bacteria [group A streptococcus] causes inflammation of the throat, or pharynx, which is why it's also called pharyngitis,” Dr. Zhukivska said.

Symptoms typically include a sore throat, white patches on the tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes, she said.

Other symptoms might include a fever, pain when swallowing, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, as well as lesser-known symptoms such as a headache, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, and a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Dr. Holly Dickman, a family physician at Mercy Health, said there can be many causes for someone to catch strep throat.

“Pharyngitis is that irritation or inflammation at the back of your throat that can be caused by a whole slew of things,” Dr. Dickman said. “Actual strep throat is caused by that bacteria and that counts for about 15 percent of pharyngitis cases.”

Local experts said strep throat is non-life threatening for most people but can be if it’s not treated within the appropriate amount of time.

“What can happen sometimes is if you have an untreated strep throat, unfortunately, after several weeks of not being treated, some people can unfortunately catch rheumatic fever, which can affect your heart and different areas of the body,” said Dr. Laura Grima, a family medicine doctor at ProMedica.

Dr. Zhukivska said delayed treatment in some people can cause more complications than in other people if they already have underlying medical conditions.

“Delayed treatment, in some people, especially people who are immunocompromised can lead to developing tonsillar abscess, which can spread and cause sepsis and eventually death if not treated timely,” Dr. Zhukivska said.

People can also develop kidney impairments, she said, such as acute glomerulonephritis, which causes inflammation, per Medscape.com.

Lack of treatment can also cause traumatic heart disease or rheumatic fever, which can have lifelong consequences, Dr. Zhukivska said.

Though most causes of strep throat can be self treated with over the counter medication, Dr. Dickman said, if patients are experiencing symptoms such as persistent fever that isn’t subsiding with over the counter medications (which normally happens with children), as well as uncontrollable pain, they should consult their primary physician.

Dr. Grima said strep throat normally is identified through tests when patients see a medical provider.

Doctors said strep throat can normally be cleared with antibiotics.

“We usually use a point of care test called a rapid antigen detection test,” Dr. Grima said. “Once we have a positive test, then patients with streptococcal pharyngitis, they require antibiotic treatment.”

“Sometimes we don’t need to do antibiotics,” Dr. Dickman added. “Some people can wait it out. Healthy adults or even healthy kids can sometimes just clear it on their own. A lot of people probably do if they don’t seek medical treatment.”

First Published January 21, 2024, 5:00 a.m.