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strep throat

strep throat

8 3.0
An infection in the throat caused by bacteria, often with fever and swollen tonsils
  • noun
  • /strɛp θroʊt/
translation icon : faringitis estreptocócica
  • Therefore, when a clinician evaluates a patient with an acute sore throat, the most important clinical task is to decide whether the patient has "strep throat."
  • strep throat infections
  • causes strep throat
  • get strep throat

And when we were in college together, I got the worst case of strep throat.

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Examples

  • It is an autoimmune condition that may result from strep throat.

    Academic text (2014)
  • But from having strep throat so much as a kid, you can develop like holes in your tonsils.

  • I think I got strep throat.

  • I think I'm getting strep throat.

  • - I've got strep throat.

  • Teddy has strep throat and Trina has an ear infection.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Things like pneumonia, tuberculosis, strep throat and pink eye pop up quite often in our records.

  • Anyway, day after day, I became so used to swallowing around a lump in my throat that when I caught strep throat in February, I didn't realize I was sick.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • After seeing the doctor, I found out that I had strep throat, which explained the pain I felt.

  • When the doctor examined her throat, he confirmed that she was suffering from strep throat.

Synonyms

sore throat
vsstrep throat
27 1.3

A painful feeling in the throat that makes swallowing hard

is the specific bacterial infection type rather than any throat pain
tonsillitis
vsstrep throat
  • Specialized
4 4.3

The tonsils at the back of the throat become swollen and painful and cause a sore throat

is the same illness but often caused by a specific bacterial infection
throat infection
vsstrep throat
  • Specialized
1 2.3

Illness in the throat that makes it sore and hard to swallow

is the specific bacterial illness often with fever and swollen tonsils
streptococcal sore throat
vsstrep throat
  • Specialized
3.3

An infection in the throat that causes a sudden sore throat and fever

is the same infection often referred to by a short common name
streptococcus tonsillitis
vsstrep throat
  • Specialized
6.1

Bacteria called streptococcus infect the tonsils and throat and make them sore

is the same disease but named for its strong tonsil focus
pharyngitis
vsstrep throat
  • Specialized
7.0

A sore, painful throat caused by swelling at the back of the throat

is the same symptom but caused by a specific bacterial infection
raw throat
vsstrep throat
3.6

A sore feeling in the throat that makes swallowing hurt

is a specific bacterial illness not just a general irritated feeling

Surface Forms

strep throat singular
strep throats plural

Morphology

strep + throat

The meaning ('a throat infection caused by streptococcus') is directly and compositionally derived from 'strep' (streptococcal) + 'throat' (the anatomical channel). While 'strep' is medical jargon/abbreviated form and may be unknown to some learners, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the intended meaning, so the item is transparent.

Etymology

Strep throat gets its name from the germ that causes it. 'Strep' is short for 'streptococcus', the germ, and throat is the place that hurts, so the phrase means 'a sore throat caused by strep'.