It can, but serious complications aren’t very common, thankfully. However, it’s important to note that if you think you won’t have any serious side effects or health concerns if you don’t treat strep throat, think again!

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Southcenter explains why below.

What Are the Symptoms of Strep Throat?

Streptococcus pyogenes, sometimes known as group A Streptococcus, is the bacteria that causes strep throat. After being exposed to these germs, the most common way to contract strep throat is by touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

The airborne particles spread by coughing, sneezing and sharing food or drink with an infected person can all spread strep throat, too. If you’re not sure if you have strep throat, we’ve put together a list of some of its most prevalent symptoms.

Common Strep Throat Symptoms

• A sudden fever, especially if it’s 101˚F or higher
• A sore, red throat with white patches
• A headache
• Chills
• A loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Trouble swallowing

How Serious Are the Side Effects of Untreated Strep Throat?

They have the potential to be highly dangerous. Inflammatory disorders like scarlet fever and rheumatic fever can develop when strep throat bacteria move to the rest of the body.

Because strep throat is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be needed to treat it and eliminate the bacteria from the body. Failure to do so may result in the complications listed below.

Potential Complications Caused By Untreated Strep Throat

• Abscesses (infected pockets) in your throat
• Infected lymph nodes in the neck
• Middle ear infection
• Sinus infection
• Rheumatic fever, which can cause damage to the heart, joints, nervous system and skin
• Scarlet fever, which is a bright red, sandpaper-like rash that starts on the face and neck and spreads through the body; it can be caused by strep throat or strep skin infections
• Toxic shock syndrome, which is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by strep bacteria releasing toxins into the body

Strep throat is most common among kids and adolescents. If you think your child may be dealing with it, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team to get the treatment he or she needs to feel better!