Strep throat can be contagious for about 2-3 weeks in individuals who are not taking antibiotics. However, individuals who start antibiotic treatment usually are no longer contagious within 24- 48 hours. The bacteria that cause strep throat can be transmitted person-to-person by direct contact, especially from mucus droplets from the mouth, and indirect contact, such as kissing and sharing utensils or drinking cups.

What is Strep Throat?

Is Strep Throat Contagious?

Strep throat is a viral infection of the throat and tonsils. It’s caused by a type of bacteria called group A Streptococcus (GAS). It’s a highly contagious bacterial infection, and it can make your throat very sore and scratchy. To test for strep throat, your doctor will take a throat culture to find germs (such as bacteria or fungus) that can cause an infection. Medical evaluation is essential, as untreated cases may result in complications. Treatment typically includes oral antibiotics to speed up recovery and prevent further spread.

Strep throat is highly contagious, especially during the acute phase when symptoms are most severe. It is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and others come into contact with those droplets. It can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the bacteria and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

What can be done to relieve the pain of strep throat?

Strep throat symptoms can cause significant discomfort. The following methods may help with symptom relief:

• Drink soothing liquids, such as warm tea.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Gargle saltwater

Aspirin should not be given to children. Aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness, in children and adolescents who have fevers.

Strep Throat Symptoms

Common symptoms of strep throat include:

• sore throat
• fever
• red and swollen tonsils
• painful or swollen lymph nodes/neck glands

Not all sore throats are strep-infected throats. Often, kids have a sore throat because of a virus, which will usually clear up without medical treatment with antibiotics.

Kids who do have strep throat might get other symptoms within about 3 days, such as:

• red and white patches in the throat
• trouble swallowing
• a headache
• lower stomach pain
• general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• rash

Some sore throats are caused by upper respiratory infections that do not require antibiotic treatment. A proper medical evaluation helps distinguish strep throat from viral infections.

Strep Test

A rapid strep test will quickly show whether or not group A strep is causing the illness. If the strep test is positive, there is a good chance your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics. However, if your strep test is negative, your doctor may recommend a throat culture swab to double-check and see if group A strep grows from the swab. Doctors find it very important to double-check using a throat culture swab because it is common for children and teens to develop rheumatic fever from an untreated strep throat infection.

Strep Throat Treatment

If you suspect that you or your child has strep throat, visit an urgent care clinic to get tested and begin treatment. Penicillin or amoxicillin are typically used to treat strep throat. If you’re allergic to penicillin may receive alternative antibiotic treatments.

Antibiotics may help you feel better faster. They can also shorten the amount of time that you’re contagious. Most people are no longer contagious after they’ve taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Be sure to finish your entire course of antibiotics, though (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).

In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with your symptoms.

Learn more: Sore Throat Natural Cure

Although strep throat is common in children and adults with a sore throat, especially if accompanied by fever or other associated symptoms, seeking medical attention at an urgent care center is recommended. It is often too difficult to know definitively whether or not strep throat is present without a professional evaluation.

Furthermore, there are other serious causes of sore throat that may require alternative treatments (for example, a peritonsillar abscess). Finally, consider seeking medical advice if a person has been treated for strep throat and has not improved within 4 to 5 days.

If a person has a sore throat or if they have been diagnosed with strep throat, and have any of the following signs or symptoms, they should immediately seek care in a hospital’s emergency department:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty or inability to swallow food or liquid
• Unable to open the mouth
• Unable to swallow saliva, or drooling
• Severe throat pain
• Making noises during breathing
• Bleeding in the throat
• Swelling or redness of the neck

Although some of these signs and symptoms may be related to a strep throat infection, they can also be indicators of other emergent conditions such as peritonsillar abscess, epiglottitis, tracheitis, or retropharyngeal abscess.

Recovery

How long does strep throat last?

If you receive strep throat antibiotic treatment, your illness may only last for one to three days. If left untreated, recovery will take longer, and your risk of developing complications will increase.

How long is strep contagious after starting antibiotics?

Without treatment and antibiotics, strep throat can still be contagious for two to three weeks (14 to 21 days), even after you stop feeling sick. Strep throat is usually contagious for about 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics. Once you’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and your symptoms have improved, you’re typically considered to be no longer contagious.

Preventing the Spread

• Hand washing – Clean your hands properly and regularly using soap and water. Be sure to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and warm water.
• Clean surfaces in your house if you, or someone in your house, has strep throat. Bacteria can survive for short periods of time on household items, such as doorknobs and tabletops.
• If you live with or care for someone with strep throat, be sure to wash your hands frequently. Also avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid contact with anyone who has strep throat until they’ve been prescribed and on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
• Don’t share food, drinks, or eating utensils with others. Additionally, avoid sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes.
• If you have strep, be sure to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Carry disposable tissues with you. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into the crook of your elbow instead of into your hand.
• If you have strep throat, be aware that you’re contagious as long as you have symptoms, and you should stay home from work or school. Once you start taking antibiotics, you should stay home until you’ve been on them for at least 24 hours.

Additional Information:

• When Should You Worry About A Sore Throat?
• Best Course of Action For Sore Throats
• Strep Throat: All You Need to Know – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever: What’s the Connection?
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Streptococcal Pharyngitis – American Family Physician (AFP)

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