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Pharyngitis - Sore Throat
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Avoiding irritation of the throat can sometimes prevent a sore throat.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Untreated strep throat may lead to rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an inflammation of the joints and the heart resulting from a streptococcal infection. Some types of sore throat may cause difficulty breathing due to swelling, or the formation of abscesses.
What are the risks to others?
A sore throat caused by Group A streptococcus is contagious. A sore throat caused by a sexually transmitted disease also contagious.