Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Strep throat natural history
Introduction
Overview
Overview
If left untreated, group A streptococcal pharyngitis may be self-limiting. In some cases, complications such as peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess, mastoiditis, and cervical lymphadenitis may develop in untreated patients.[1][2][3] Less commonly, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, and toxic shock syndrome may develop as delayed complications. Rarely, vasculitis may occur. The prognosis of strep throat is good with treatment; complications rarely develop with adequate treatment.
Natural history
Natural history
If left untreated, group A streptococcal pharyngitis may be self-limiting. In some cases, complications such as peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess, mastoiditis, and cervical lymphadenitis may develop in untreated patients which may results in septic shock or death if they are not managed appropriately.[1][2][3] Less commonly, delayed chronic complications such as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, and toxic shock syndrome may develop. Rarely, vasculitis may occur.
Complications
Complications
Complications that can develop as a result of strep throat may be divided into suppurative and non-suppurative types:[1][3]
Suppurative
- Peritonsillar abscess
- Retropharyngeal abscess
- Otitis media
- Sinusitis
- Cervical lymphadenitis
- Mastoiditis
- Vasculitis
Images of vasculitis after Streptococcal throat infection
Non-suppurative
Prognosis
Prognosis
The prognosis of strep throat is good with treatment. Complications rarely develop with adequate treatment.[1]
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/strep-throat.html Accessed on October 18, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rantz LA (1946). “THE NATURAL HISTORY OF HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCUS SORE THROAT”. Calif Med. 65 (6): 265–70. PMC 1642726. PMID 18731131.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Langlois DM, Andreae M (2011). “Group A streptococcal infections”. Pediatr Rev. 32 (10): 423–9, quiz 430. doi:10.1542/pir.32-10-423. PMID 21965709.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Tarek Nafee, M.D. [2]; Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S[3]