With millions of cases per year in the United States, strep throat is an extremely common disease. You might recognize it from a distinctively unpleasant scratchy feeling in the throat, or as the source of many sick days from school for young children.
But there’s still no vaccine for this bacterial infection, mainly because antibiotics can provide an effective treatment. With outbreaks of severe strep throat infections on the rise worldwide — particularly in countries with limited access to antibiotic treatments — medical experts are urging more research on developing a vaccine.
Beyond that, a recent report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rates of both mild and severe strep throat infections reached a 20-year high in 2023. Amid ongoing research, here’s how to identify key signs of strep throat — and what to know about the search for a vaccine.
What Is Strep Throat?
Strep throat, also called streptococcal pharyngitis, is caused by infection with a type of bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Pharyngitis — the scientific name for a sore throat — is one of the most common reasons for physician visits in the United States, and GAS is the most common cause of acute cases.
