If strep throat goes untreated, the bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus can lead to several serious complications affecting various parts of the body:
- Abscesses : Pockets of pus can form in or around the tonsils (peritonsillar abscess) or neck, which may rupture and spread infection further
- Ear and sinus infections : The bacteria can spread to the ears or sinuses, causing painful infections that may lead to hearing loss if recurrent
- Pneumonia : Infection may spread to the lungs, causing inflammation and symptoms like fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing
- Rheumatic fever : A serious inflammatory condition triggered by untreated strep that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system, and skin. It may cause heart damage, arthritis-like joint pain, and neurological symptoms
- Kidney inflammation (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis) : An immune reaction that can lead to kidney damage, swelling, reduced urine output, and blood in urine
- Toxic shock syndrome : A rare but life-threatening condition where the infection spreads systemically, potentially causing organ failure
- Meningitis : Infection and inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord
- Scarlet fever : Characterized by a distinctive rash accompanying strep infection
- Other immune-related complications : Such as poststreptococcal reactive arthritis and possible neuropsychiatric disorders in children (PANDAS)
Untreated strep throat can thus escalate from a sore throat to life- threatening conditions. Prompt antibiotic treatment is essential to clear the infection and prevent these complications
