Question about strep throat

Nurses General Nursing

Published

When a person gets strep throat does it have a smell?

If so, what kind of smell is it?

Is it different from a "bad-breath" smell?

Just curious....

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

- sideline note - I do know the difference between there, their and they're. :)

I hate when I reread something and see that I was typing too fast again!

On a side note, why is it that I have been exposed to strep MULTIPLE times (drinking after someone, kissing someone, etc.,) and have never ONCE had it?! My kids have gone round and round and round with this. Siblings and spouse have had it. Friends have discovered it after we have shared a drink. I have probably been directly exposed at least 20 times, and yet have NEVER been infected.

Wish I could say the same for the common cold or influenza. Those infections have knocked me on my butt...

Specializes in GERIATRICS,HOSPICE,MENTAL/PHYS DISABILED.
We can't give medical advice here and if you or a family member aren't feeling well you need to seek medical care. Strep throat can cause a foul odor coming from the mouth but so can peritonsillar abscesses.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupastreptococcal_g.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001663/

http://www.enotes.com/microbiology-encyclopedia/strep-throat

No one in my family has it. Like I said, I was just curious. Since I've been in nursing, I've encountered the fruity smell of ketoacidosis, the smell that you get when someone has c-diff, the smell of death or near death etc. I overheard someone talking about this so I just put this question out there.

Specializes in GERIATRICS,HOSPICE,MENTAL/PHYS DISABILED.
Thanks Ashley. I have worked Emergency Medicine and know exactly what giving advice is. There are certain terms of service that have to be followed and many come here seeking advice because the are "just curious" I would like you to notice I gave her several links to look up strep herself and whether or not it causes a foul odor to the breath so she may search for it herself.

It may be splitting hairs, but I just gave her ways for her to look it up for herself. If she is a student then she should google her own reports but I realize that sometimes students don't know what to google for....Many do come here and say they are in nurses (or aides or techs or transporters) and we have many patients that are on this site as well. So many do come here just because they know there are nurses they can ask.

In telling her "Yes it can but so can something else see your MD" is not medical advice and yet give her the means to search it for herself was only meant to be helpful which I do all the time. "I can't give you advice but if you look here"wink wink......I can get them the information they are seeking but may not know how to find.

I'm sorry if you felt I was offending the OP as I was just trying to supply her with the info she was seeking to help herself. I have learned over the years to never assume anything when dealing with the general public and I try very hard not to place my foot in mouth for any extended period of time. Thank you for your apology as it did seem a little harsh and rude.....all is forgiven no big deal....;)

Thanks for your reply, but really, I was just curious. If u look @ my personal info you will see that I am not new to allnurses & that I have been a nurse for awhile...it was just something I had never heard of, something new, so I put the question out there to see what my friends here @ allnurses think. Nothing more, nothing less. I thought that was allowed? But again, thank you for your reply.

Specializes in ER.

I worked in Family Practice for a few years, and smelled it quite a few times. Not every person has that distinct smell when they have strep.... it's one of those things that when you smell it, you know it's strep. Can't quite describe it though.

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
On a side note, why is it that I have been exposed to strep MULTIPLE times (drinking after someone, kissing someone, etc.,) and have never ONCE had it?! My kids have gone round and round and round with this. Siblings and spouse have had it. Friends have discovered it after we have shared a drink. I have probably been directly exposed at least 20 times, and yet have NEVER been infected.

Wish I could say the same for the common cold or influenza. Those infections have knocked me on my butt...

Count yourself lucky that you have never had it. I can remember feeling awful as a kid with it but I have had it a few times as an adult and was incredibly sick. Fever of 104 with a racing heart - probably should have went to the ER.

Oddly, as sick as I get with it, no one in my family has ever gotten it from me. Never once remember my Mom, Dad or brother getting it and I can't say that I had great infection control practices back in those days. I think some people are just more susceptible to some organisms. My husband and daughter are both very prone to cold sores - my son and I have never had one.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thanks for your reply, but really, I was just curious. If u look @ my personal info you will see that I am not new to allnurses & that I have been a nurse for awhile...it was just something I had never heard of, something new, so I put the question out there to see what my friends here @ allnurses think. Nothing more, nothing less. I thought that was allowed? But again, thank you for your reply.

I usually do look up personal information before I answer so I may answer the post the best I can. You never know who the poster really is, as I constantly remind my children that "Suzie" on the internet may be a 6'6'' male in prison, so I try to word things appropriately. I meant no disrespect and I gave links for you to look up the answer to your question without actually giving the answer which is the best way I felt comfortable in answering the question. I think my post is being looked at too closely and far too much is being read into it.....I'm sorry if it made you feel bad...I mean no disrespect...Peace:D

I remember being taught in school about mononucleosis and "the smell of mono breath. I never could really smell it, bout others could. Same with strep breath. I do know the thought of brushing my teeth or using mouthwash is painful when I get strep. (and yes I still tough it out...minus the mouthwash but with a gentle saline swish n spit!) just clearing things up before I get...ewwwww, TMI!

I don't think I read too much into anything :) I responded to exactly what was written. If the OP is on a nursing board she knows to get medical advice from a doctor.

Maybe you read into mine too much

If everyone who posted on this nursing board knew to get medical advice from a doctor there would be no need to cover the subject in the Terms of Service :)
+ Add a Comment