Sepsis and Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococci. It’s most common in children and teens, but it can affect adults too. The infection is spread through droplets in the air, so if someone with the bacteria sneezes or coughs near you, you could become ill by breathing in the droplets. It can also be spread if the infected person has the bacteria on their hands, they touch something (such as a door knob), you touch the object, and then bring your hand to your nose or mouth.

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Strep Throat. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/strep-throat/

Updated June 18, 2024.

 

More About Strep Throat

Symptoms

Strep throat is quite painful for most people. It doesn’t usually feel like a “regular” sore throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat may include:

  • Painful swallowing
  • Tender, swollen glands (lymph nodes) on the sides of your neck
  • Red and enlarged tonsils
  • Red and white patches in the throat
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Rash, may resemble sandpaper
  • Body aches
Risk Factors

Anyone can get strep throat but it is most common in teens, particularly when they are together in large groups, such as during the school year.

Complications

Aside from the infection possibly triggering sepsis, untreated strep throat could lead to:

  • Scarlet fever
  • Post-streptococcal glomurolenephritis,  inflammation in the kidney
  • Rheumatic fever
Diagnosis and Treatment

Strep throat can often be diagnosed in the doctor’s office or clinic with a rapid antigen test, using a swab sample from your throat. The test may be called a quick strep test. The test can be negative, indicating you don’t have strep throat, but your doctor might still suspect you do. If this is the case, your doctor will send another swab for a more detailed analysis in a lab.

Treatment is with antibiotics. It’s important to remember that you still are contagious until about 24 hours after you started the medication. Your doctor may also recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help reduce the swelling and pain.

Related Resources

Information Guide

Strep Throat

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Brandi Baltes

I went into a doc in the box in late November 2023 for strep throat. (Sepsis and Strep Throat) Within a week, I was being transported from that same doc in the box for extremely low blood pressure. Next thing I remember is waking up from a coma. I had COVID, septic shock, kidney failure, diaphragmatic spasms, and pneumonia. (Sepsis and Covid-19, Sepsis and Pneumonia) I was in the ICU for 35 days1 2 weeks in a coma. The nightmares I had while in my coma still haunt me. I’m terrified of anything that seems “off” with my health. Read Full Story

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Kimora Branch

At the end of my freshman year of college, I went to the doctor because I was feeling sick. He told me I had pneumonia and strep, gave me a Z pack, and sent me on my way. (Sepsis and Pneumonia, Sepsis and Strep Throat) A week later, I had gotten worse and not better. People were telling me to ride it out but eventually I trusted my gut and went to the hospital. I was then hospitalized for all of finals week because I had sepsis. My health ever since has been nothing but a downward spiral, with it ... Read Full Story

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Danielle Amato

On January 31st, 2023 at 28, after suffering from an extremely sore throat, I went into septic shock and had toxic shock as well. All from strep throat, which I had never even had as a kid! (Sepsis and Strep Throat) There’s arriving at the hospital and then about a 3 week gap in memory, replaced by bizarre dreams. My kidneys and heart both failed and I narrowly escaped needing ECMO. I was in the hospital and rehab for about four months. I had my right arm below the elbow amputated as well as my fingers and toes. Three months ... Read Full Story

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Georgia Matlack

In 2016, what began as a case of the flu and strep throat quickly turned life-threatening when the strep bacteria entered my bloodstream, triggering sepsis. I went into septic shock, and my organs began to fail. I spent a week in the hospital fighting for my life — a battle I’m incredibly grateful to have won. (Sepsis and Influenza, Sepsis and Strep Throat) Today, I’m fortunate to stand here as a healthy young woman, but my experience with sepsis has left a lasting impact. It has not only marked my past but also shaped my future. As Miss Route 66, ... Read Full Story

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Alyvia C.

Towards the beginning if this year, I came down with what was believed to be strep. My illness consisted of swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, and a sore throat. I was in bed for days. I began feeling better after I went to an urgent care in my town and started on antibiotics. Stupidly, I didn’t finish my round of antibiotics because I began to feel better. (Sepsis and Strep Throat) About a week later, I started experiencing extreme pain in my left lung. Thinking it was muscle spasms, I ignored it. After suffering from the pain for a week, I ... Read Full Story

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Strep Throat