Angina is a common and ordinary inflammation of the tonsils (also known as tonsillitis) responsible for pain on swallowing. Most sore throats are viral, but bacterial origin should be particularly feared because of possible complications: these are the strep throat.
Complications are potentially serious, with rheumatic fever (RAA), renal (acute glomerulonephritis) and heart, but they are prevented by antibiotic treatment.
Causes and origins of angina
The challenge of streptococcal pharyngitis is to identify (by a rapid diagnostic test or TDR) and the early treatment to avoid complications. The streptococcus group A (GAS), the bacteria involved, only a minority of angina. Of the 9 million angina diagnosed each year in France, from 50 to 90% of acute tonsillitis are caused by viruses and only 10 to 25% of sore throats in adults are caused by the streptococcus.
The peak incidence is in children between 5 and 15 years.
Mechanisms of bacterial sore throat
The streptococcus has a particular affinity for the joints, heart valves or the kidney. Passing into the blood, he can cause complications remote from angina and throat.
Definition of strep throat
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Strep Throat Symptoms