Strep throat is a common bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS). This infection affects the throat and tonsils, often causing significant discomfort. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. Understanding the specific symptoms is important because the cause determines the necessary treatment.
Is Hoarseness a Symptom of Strep Throat?
Hoarseness or voice loss is generally not considered a typical symptom of bacterial strep throat. The Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria primarily targets the pharynx and the tonsils, which are the tissues at the back of the throat. The infection does not usually descend to the larynx, or voice box, where the vocal cords are located.
If a patient with confirmed strep throat experiences a change in voice, it is often due to a co-occurring viral infection, as many respiratory illnesses circulate simultaneously. In rare cases, severe inflammation from the bacterial infection can extend downward to irritate the vocal cords, but this is not the standard presentation. A hoarse voice is a distinguishing feature that often suggests a different cause for the illness.
Identifying the Primary Indicators of Strep
The symptoms that characterize strep throat typically appear suddenly and can be quite severe. A sore throat that develops rapidly, especially one that causes pain when swallowing, is a hallmark of the infection. This throat pain is frequently accompanied by a fever, which can have a quick onset.
The physical signs of strep are often visible upon examination of the throat. The tonsils will appear red and swollen, and they may be covered in white patches, streaks of pus, or exudate. Tiny, pinpoint red spots, known as petechiae, may also be visible on the soft or hard palate. Unlike a common cold, strep throat rarely includes symptoms like a cough, a runny nose, or congestion, which are more indicative of a viral infection. Other common indicators include headache, body aches, and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck.
The Actual Cause of Voice Loss
The mechanism behind voice loss is laryngitis, which is the inflammation of the larynx, or voice box. The larynx houses the vocal cords, which are two bands of muscle tissue that vibrate to produce sound. When these cords become swollen due to inflammation, they cannot vibrate normally, leading to a voice that sounds hoarse, raspy, or is completely lost.
The majority of acute laryngitis cases are caused by viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, or other upper respiratory viruses. Since these viral infections attack the respiratory tract, they commonly affect the vocal cords as part of the generalized inflammation. Therefore, if a person presents with a sore throat and a distinct change in voice, the infection is more likely viral than bacterial strep. This distinction is important because viral infections do not respond to antibiotics, whereas strep throat requires them for treatment.
When to Seek Medical Testing and Treatment
Because the symptoms of strep throat can overlap with viral infections, a medical professional must perform testing for a definitive diagnosis. The most common diagnostic methods are the rapid strep test (RADT) and the throat culture. Both procedures involve gently swabbing the back of the throat to collect a sample, which is then analyzed to detect the presence of Group A Streptococcus bacteria.
If a strep diagnosis is confirmed, treatment involves a course of antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, to eliminate the bacteria. It is important that the full course of medication is completed, even if symptoms improve quickly, to ensure the bacteria is completely eradicated. Untreated strep throat carries a risk of serious complications, including rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart and joints, and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a condition that impacts the kidneys.