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Strep throat symptoms. Strep throat, a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils, causes a sore or scratchy throat, as well as white patches on your tonsils. It is highly contagious during the incubation period — the two to five days after you’re infected and before symptoms appear – and stays contagious until your symptoms resolve, according to Jake Mefford, PA, clinical director for OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinics. “Hand hygiene and disinfecting commonly used surfaces frequently can decrease the risk of transmission of strep,” Jake said. Jake took time to answer more questions about strep: A. Strep throat refers to the inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis), and/or tonsils (tonsillitis) caused by a group A streptococcus infection, This is just one of the many types of streptococcus bacteria. Q. What does strep look like?A. Common findings of the throat include redness, swelling and exudates (white patches). Q. What are symptoms of strep?A. In addition to a sore throat, someone with strep may experience a fever, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, enlarged lymph nodes and rash. Q. How is strep diagnosed?A. The tonsils are examined and a sample of fluid may be taken from the back of the throat using a soft swab. The sample can be checked right away for the bacteria that cause strep throat. If the initial test is negative, the sample may be sent to a lab for further testing with a culture. Q. How long does strep last?A. Strep throat typically resolves in three to five days if untreated. Despite the short duration, antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications. Symptoms typically resolve within one to three days following the start of antibiotics. Q. How is strep spread?A. Strep throat is transmitted via droplets. These can be tiny airborne droplets after a cough or sneeze or from surfaces that are contaminated with droplets. Q. How is it different than a regular sore throat?A. There are many different types of bacteria and viruses that can cause a sore throat. Many of the symptoms overlap between the causative agents and therefore it is very difficult to differentiate between strep pharyngitis and other causes of pharyngitis without testing. A cough is not a common symptom with strep throat and may indicate a different cause of sore throat. Q. How should strep be treated?A. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used for discomfort and fever. Stay hydrated, rest and maintain a soft diet for comfort. Q. Are antibiotics used to treat strep?A. Antibiotics are used with the following goals in mind: reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, prevent acute and delayed complications and prevent the spread to others. Q. What are complications related to strep?A. Most cases of strep throat resolve without complications. However, complications can include blood stream bacterial infections, abscesses in the tissue surrounding the throat, ear infections and sinus infections. Other complications following the initial strep throat infection include acute rheumatic fever, kidney issues and psychiatric disorders. Q. Is medical attention always needed for strep?A. If strep pharyngitis is suspected, a strep test is recommended. Q. Are there home remedies that can be used to treat strep?A. In addition to a soft diet to avoid irritating the throat, individuals with strep may find the following soothing:
A sore throat can be a sign of a variety of illnesses, including strep throat. Strep throat is considered a mild illness, but it can be quite uncomfortable. Common symptoms include:
Other symptoms can include headache, nausea, stomachache, and vomiting. When a rash occurs with strep throat, it’s called scarlet fever. This article will discuss the risk factors for strep throat, how it’s treated, and how long it lasts. Paul Bradbury / Getty Images Causes Strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). Group A strep usually lives in the nose and throat. It’s spread by talking, coughing, or sneezing. Sometimes it can even be passed from infected skin sores. Risk FactorsAnyone can get strep throat. However, some age groups are more likely to get it than others. Children and teens ages 5 to 15 are the most commonly affected group. Parents of school-age children and adults who are often around children are at increased risk of strep throat. Crowded settings can also increase your risk, since these settings are also more likely to have infectious illnesses spread anyway. These can include:
How Long Does Strep Throat Last? Symptoms of strep throat usually get better within a week, but this can vary. With AntibioticsWith antibiotics, your symptoms should start to get better soon, often in a day or two. You can return to school or work once you no longer have a fever and you have been taking antibiotics for at least 12 hours. It is important to stay on the
antibiotics for all days it is prescribed (10 days for penicillin or amoxicillin) to ensure that the bacteria are killed. Without AntibioticsWhile strep throat typically goes away on its own within seven days, it can be contagious to others during that time, and it can lead to serious adverse effects for some people. Without antibiotics, complications can occur. These can include:
Strep Throat vs. Sore ThroatWhile strep throat usually entails a sore throat, sore throats are not always a sign of strep. A general sore throat is often accompanied by congestion, runny nose, moderate fever, and a swollen and scratchy throat/tonsils. Strep throat often has white patches on the back of the throat (although other conditions can as well), tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, headache, and swollen lymph nodes under the ears. Strep also typically does not have a cough, congestion, or runny nose. How Long Is a Person Contagious?People with strep can typically spread the infection to other people until they’ve been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises staying
home from school or work until you’ve been on antibiotics for at least 12 hours and you do not have a fever. Other sources may advise waiting a full 24 hours after being on antibiotics to return to school or work. You may ask about your school or work policy. What Is the Treatment for Strep Throat?Because bacteria (not viruses) cause strep, the treatment is antibiotics. This helps prevent more serious (although rare) complications like rheumatic fever. The usual antibiotics prescribed are either penicillin or amoxicillin. These should be taken as directed for 10 days, even after your symptoms are gone. Relief for symptoms can include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIt’s important to see a healthcare provider as soon as you feel symptoms of strep throat to determine whether antibiotics are needed. The healthcare provider can do a rapid strep test, get the results, and then prescribe the antibiotics. If the test is negative but the healthcare provider still thinks it’s strep, a throat culture may be taken by swabbing the throat. The results will take time to get back. This is more often done for children and teens since untreated strep in these groups can lead to rheumatic fever. The risk of rheumatic
fever is less for adults, so they usually will not have a throat culture if the rapid test is negative. SummaryStrep throat is caused by the bacteria group A Streptococcus. While it may go away within a week or so on its own, to prevent complications and/or reinfection, antibiotics are necessary. With antibiotics, you should start feeling better soon, and after 24 hours on the medication, you are no longer contagious to anyone else. While strep throat can be uncomfortable, there are medications to treat it and steps you can take to relieve or reduce your symptoms. A Word From Verywell Even though you may start to feel better after a day or two on antibiotics, it’s important to take the medication for the entire length of time they are prescribed. This helps to ensure that
all of the bacteria are killed. If you have any questions about your specific antibiotic course of treatment, talk with your healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for your feedback! How long does strep throat last untreated?How long does strep last? A. Strep throat typically resolves in three to five days if untreated. Despite the short duration, antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications.
What happens if strep throat goes untreated?If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
Can I recover from strep throat without antibiotics?Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you don't take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.
What kills a strep throat fast?What kills strep throat fast? Your body's own immune system will clear a strep throat infection within about 1 week. Taking antibiotics has been shown to reduce pain around three days after starting them, and to make symptoms go away about one day faster than without antibiotics.
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Strep throat how long does it last without antibiotics
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