Strep is a condition that causes a sore throat. According to the CDC, several million cases of non-invasive group A strep illnesses occur each year. It's often caused by an infection originating from a germ called Group A Streptococcus bacteria. Strep typically affects children between the ages of five and 15 but can affect anyone, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. It’s often passed through person-to-person contact with saliva or fluids from the nose or throat, and there are certain complications that can develop due to strep infection. Let’s look at five of these complications you should watch out for if you or a family member has tested positive for strep.

1. Abscesses

An abscess is a collection of pus or fluid that'll form around your tonsils if you have strep. It can be very painful; if it ruptures, it can spread infection to other parts of your body.

2. Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis, also known as GN, is a dangerous form of kidney disease that can develop two weeks after a strep infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. GN develops when tiny blood vessels in the kidneys are inflamed, and it often happens if the strep is left untreated. Keep in mind that GN is most common in children aged six to 10, per Medscape.

3. Scarlett Fever

Scarlett fever is a type of strep infection that develops alongside sore throat symptoms. A person will have a fever along with a rash on the neck and chest, and then it'll spread to other parts of the body. Scarlett fever is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention and throat examinations.

4. Rheumatic Fever

Rheumatic fever often develops about 14 to 28 days after a sore throat starts, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can develop if strep isn’t properly treated early on and can cause nosebleeds, abdominal pain, heart problems, swelling, and twitching.

5. Sinus and Ear Infections

Sinus and ear infections can also result from strep. Whenever the body is fighting off an illness, it'll create a larger amount of mucus in hopes of moving the virus successfully out of the body. Sometimes this overproduction of mucus can back into the sinuses and ear canals and cause further infection. This often happens if the mucus can't be worked out of the body easily, as it'll stay in one place and cause an infection.

If you're concerned about strep or other health conditions, please contact Arizona Coast Ear Nose & Throat today. We offer throat examinations and are here for your health needs.