Strep throat (medically known as streptococcal pharyngitis) is an infection that occurs when bacteria are invited Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) infect your throat and tonsils.
Your immune system reacts to the infection, causing symptoms such as a red, sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and difficulty swallowing. You may have white or yellow spots on your throat. Children may also have stomach pain or vomiting.
Strep throat is easily spread by droplets in the respiratory tract when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. People nearby can inhale these bacteria-filled droplets, or the droplets can contaminate surfaces. Strep throat bacteria can also be spread by sharing utensils or cups with a person with the infection.
This contagiousness is why strep throat spreads quickly in crowded places or where people live or work together.
Strep throat is not hereditary, meaning it is not passed down through family genes (the parts inside your cells that carry information from your parents).
Genes can affect some people’s risk of developing strep throat. Some children are more likely to have an infection from strep bacteria because of a low antibody response to the infection.
Your body’s immune system works to protect you from disease. One way it does this is by releasing proteins called antibodies that fight germs. Researchers believe that genetic variations in the immune system may cause weak antibody responses in some children.
Anyone can get strep throat, but people of a certain age, sex, and lifestyle are usually at greater risk:
- Age: Sore throats are most common in children aged 5-15, probably because they interact closely at school, where germs are easily spread. It is rare for children under the age of 3 to get strep throat. Older adults are also at greater risk.
- gender: People who are pregnant or postpartum are at greater risk. In the general population, boys and men have a higher risk.
- Living conditions: Strep throat is more common among people who live in overcrowded conditions, homeless shelters, nursing homes, humid environments, and areas with poor ventilation.
Risk factors such as crowded spaces, poor hand hygiene, and weak immunity make it easier for the bacteria that cause strep throat to spread or stay in your body.
1. Close the contact
Streptococcus pyogenes bacteriait spreads easily from person to person. The bacteria can travel through the air when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks.
It can also be spread when you touch contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs or telephones, and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. Strep can even be spread through food prepared by someone infected.
Sharing spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms makes it easier for bacteria to spread. That’s why families, roommates, and people who spend a lot of time together in close proximity often have a higher chance of getting strep throat. Parents of school-age children and adults who work with children are also at greater risk.
Sore throats are common in crowded, shared places such as:
- Military centers
- Repair facilities
- Dormitories
- Public transport
- Schools
- Shelters
2. Poor hand hygiene
Touching contaminated surfaces without washing your hands afterwards is a common way to increase your risk of strep throat.
To prevent the spread of strep throat, you should wash your hands often – especially before eating or after being around a lot of people. If you frequently touch doorknobs, light switches, or shared appliances, be sure to clean those items as well.
Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. This helps keep germs from flying through the air. Try not to share utensils or drinking glasses to protect yourself and others from strep throat bacteria.
3. Seasonal changes
Sore throats are more common in winter and early spring, similar to colds and flu that spread in the colder months. One reason for this increase is that people spend more time indoors, where germs spread more easily.
Cold, dry winter air can dry out your throat, reducing its natural defenses against infection and making you more vulnerable to developing strep throat if you’re infected with the bacteria.
4. Weakened immune system
A person with a weakened immune system due to illness, medications, or medical conditions may be more susceptible to infections, including strep throat. When the immune system is less active, it has a harder time fighting bacteria. Health conditions that can weaken the immune system include:
- Autoimmune disorders
- diabetes
- HIV
- Medicines to suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy or anti-rejection medicines after an organ transplant
- flu (flu)
- malaria
- Malnutrition
- Pregnancy
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that you can get if you are exposed Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. These bacteria are easily spread by respiratory droplets.
You are more likely to get strep throat if you spend time in crowded places. Other risk factors for strep throat include infrequent hand washing, a weakened immune system, and seasonal changes.
Practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with people with the infection can help prevent you from getting strep throat.