Can Other People Catch My Strep Throat
Yes. You can pass the strep infection to other people until you have been treated appropriately with an antibiotic. Children who have strep throat should not go back to school or day care until their fever has gone away and they have taken an antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
Here are more things you can do to prevent spreading strep throat:
- Frequently wash your hands.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid sharing food utensils while you are sick.
Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic Ointment For Dogs
When Should You Go To An Omaha Urgent Care For Strep Throat
Although strep throat is common in children and adults with a sore throat, especially if accompanied by fever or other associated symptoms, you should consider consulting a healthcare professional. 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 . 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 hospitals 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
- 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.
Signs You May Benefit From Seeing A Therapist
Its important to seek support for what matters most: your emotional well-being. Too often, we have a poor understanding of how to practice self-care, or we avoid it all together. And while self-care is something a mental health professional is likely to recommend to you, most agree that getting professional help from a licensed therapist should be a priority.
Read Also: Antibiotics For Boils In Groin Area
Don’t Miss: What Antibiotics Are Used For Uti Infection
A Pharmacist Can Help With Sore Throats
You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:
- medicated lozenges containing a local anaesthetic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory medicine
- anaesthetic spray
You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or from a pharmacist without a prescription.
Can An Online Doctor Treat Me For Strep Throat
Yes! HealthTap is here to help.
Our online doctors can meet you via video consultation and evaluate you for strep throat, order tests*, offer medical advice, and write prescriptions that are sent electronically to your nearest pharmacy. HealthTap members can compare costs at the nearest five pharmacies and save up to 75% off the cost of their prescriptions. Additionally, if you schedule an appointment with a primary care physician in our Virtual Primary Care clinic, you can text with your doctor for free after your appointment to discuss any questions or clarifications you may have.
*You may need to travel to an in-person clinic if testing for strep is needed.
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Antibiotics For Gonorrhea
Rinse Your Throat With Apple Cider Vinegar
Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is replete with good bacteria or the mother, which can help eliminate the infection-causing strep bacteria in your throat. The use of ACV as a diluted solution to gargle is believed to be effective due to its antibacterial properties.
How to use:
Note: It is best to consult your doctor before trying this ACV solution for gargling due to its acidic nature.
How Do People Get Strep Throat
Students tend to get strep throat most often during the school year, with peaks in winter and early spring, when big groups of people are close together.
The bacteria that cause strep throat tend to hang out in the nose and throat, so sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can easily spread the strep infection from one person to another. That’s why it’s so important to wash your hands as often as possible.
You May Like: Does Chlamydia Go Away With Antibiotics
Who Can Get It
Strep throat is more common among children aged 5 to 15, but can affect people of all ages. Its rare in children under 3 years of age. Adults who are parents of school-aged children or who are often in contact with children are more at risk for strep throat. Youre also at higher risk for strep throat if you have close contact with a person with strep throat as itâs highly contagious.
Can Strep Throat Go Away On Its Own Without Antibiotics
Yes, home treatments can effectively soothe a sore throat. You can try gargling with warm salt water to reduce throat swelling and pain. Drinking warm liquids like weak tea can also help, as can throat lozenges and cough drops. A decongestant nasal spray may help with symptoms like a runny nose and postnasal drip. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce fever and pain. Please read package instructions on any over-the-counter medicine carefully because some of these medicines cannot be given to children younger than a certain age.
Read Also: Over The Counter Antibiotics For Rabbits
World Breastfeeding Week August 1
This year, WABAs emphasis for World Breastfeeding Week is on strengthening the capacity of actors that protect, promote and support breastfeeding across different levels of society including governments, health systems, workplaces and communities to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for families in the post-pandemic world. According to WABA, breastfeeding can assist with sustainable development strategies post-pandemic, as it can improve nutrition, ensure food security, and reduce inequalities between and within countries.
What Is Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever can develop following a Strep throat infection or scarlet fever. Although rare in the contiguous U.S., the disease is still prevalent in children of Samoan descent living in Hawaii and residents of American Samoa.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever usually show 14 to 28 days after a Strep infection. Because the bacteria trick the bodyâs immune system into attacking healthy tissues, the disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever include:
Also Check: Buy Antibiotics For Bv Online
You May Like: What Antibiotics Are Used To Treat Gonorrhea
What Are The Risks Of Taking Antibiotics For A Sore Throat
Every time you take antibiotics, some bacteria escape the drug. Over time, these bacteria become stronger and cause more serious infections. To treat them, you may need different antibiotics that are stronger and more expensive. Thats why it is important that you only take antibiotics when you need them. Failure to do so could mean that antibiotics will not work when you need them in the future.
Indeed, antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S. each year, and over 35,000 people die as a result.
Other reasons to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use are that these medications can cause many side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes. Also, you need a doctor’s visit to get a prescription, and antibiotics cost money.
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.
Recommended Reading: Is Herpes Treatable With Antibiotics
Those Who Let Strep Throat Go On Away On Its Own
Because strep throat could resolve on its own, antibiotics are not essential to be prescribed for strep throat. In some countries, doctors even dont recommend their patients to use antibiotics for certain infections. Here, lets start to discover how long does strep throat last without antibiotics?
Indicators of strep throat often start between two and five days right after you are in contact with infected people who have gone down with strep throat.
The most cases that patients dont take antibiotics, the strep throat lasts for around a week. However, you then may be contagious which takes up to 3 weeks. The specific time will vary from a person to one another. It is to say how long does strep throat last without antibiotics? depends mostly on how strong or weak the immune system of that person is.
This period of one week or two weeks is true if your immunity functions well without going through genetic deficiency, genetic predisposition or vitamin deficiency. However, those who dont have a robust immune system, the contagion can be up to 6 months if antibiotics are not taken as medical treatment.
On the other hand, there is one thing you should bear in mind is that even when the symptoms have gone away. And, you feel that you could completely stay away from strep throat. But, without antibiotics, you can still be contagious despite the no symptoms have been felt.
When You Should Take Antibiotics
Antibiotic treatment is by far the most common and effective method of eliminating a bacterial infection, such as group A strep.
We definitely recommend antibiotic treatment if
- Your child has ever had PANDAS
- Your doctor is able to confirm your child has a bacterial strep infection
- Your child has an otherwise healthy immune system
In our practice, antibiotics arent always a go-to treatment. They do carry risks, including antibiotic resistance and minor side effects.
However, with our experience treating children facing PANDAS, we find that its better to cure strep quickly to reduce the risk of children developing a much more serious condition.
What cures strep throat fast? Antibiotics target and neutralize bacteria, usually getting rid of strep bacteria within two days. Penicillin is probably the most common antibiotic.
For those who are allergic to the cillins azithromycin is an alternative your doctor may prescribe.
Are there any side effects of taking antibiotics? The most common side effect that a normal regimen of antibiotics may cause is an imbalance in good bacteria that may lead to diarrhea. You can eat foods high in probiotics or take a probiotic supplement to restore your microbiome.¹
Avoid taking antibiotics longer than you need to, or before an actual strep throat diagnosis is reached.
But antibiotics are the best solution to diagnose strep throat. If left untreated, others may contract strep, and there are some serious complications that can arise.
You May Like: Can Antibiotics Cure Sinus Infection
Developing Strep Throat Immunity
The reason is that folks who take antibiotics for strep throat seem to get it over and over and over again. Sometimes they get strep throat again within mere days or weeks from the previous infection. Have you noticed this vicious cycle too?
Wouldnt it be a far better and healthier approach to fight it off one time and be done with it possibly for the rest of your life?
My retired MD Dad is of the philosophy that if you give the body a crutch every time it gets ill, it will always expect and demand that crutch. This results in immunity getting weaker over time. I have witnessed the truth of this philosophy through observation. Those who have the tendency to over-medicate their illnesses whether it be with antibiotics or even natural remedies can unwittingly experience a downside.
Attempting to squelch illness at the first sign of a sniffle, for example, is not a wise approach in my opinion even if nontoxic.
The immune system stays strong when it is allowed to fight and defeat an illness with no interference. Ideally, rest and nourishment only should be provided.
Now, I do think that much consideration needs to be given to the health of the individual before forgoing the meds. A child with autoimmune issues who is not eating well in the first place probably should just take the antibiotics.
On the other hand, a robust healthy child with no autoimmune illness who is consuming an excellent diet has a superb chance of handling the infection well with no intervention.
How Can I Feel Better
Drink lots of cool liquids, such as water or ginger ale, especially if you have a fever, since you’ll feel worse if you become dehydrated. Stay away from orange juice, lemonade, and other acidic drinks because they can sting your throat. Frozen foods such as ice cream or popsicles can help to numb throat soreness. Warm liquids like soups, tea with honey, or hot chocolate also can be soothing. For fever and pain, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the package directions on how much to take and when.
Don’t Miss: How Have Antibiotics Changed Society
Natural Remedies For Strep Throat
Honey
Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, honey is an effective way to treat pain, inflammation, and infection. Since it quickly fights bacteria, it will relieve your strep throat symptoms in an instant.
Vitamin C- Lemon
Vitamin C has powerful antibacterial properties which successfully treat the infection and relieve the pain in your throat. Since lemons are packed with this vitamin, they are a perfect addition to your tea, together with some honey.
Essential Oils
When it comes to treating strep throat, essential oils can be quite useful. To prepare a home remedy for strep throat, you can use grapefruit, lemon, thyme, lemongrass, cinnamon, or lavender essential oil.
Just add a few drops of the oil you choose in some water and heat. Then, do a steam inhalation using the steam from the solution for about 10-15 minutes. You can repeat this treatment multiple times a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the most effective natural remedies for fighting infections is apple cider vinegar. This type of vinegar has various uses and benefits, and treating strep throat is one of them. Add three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of warm water, and stir well. Gargle with this solution and youll soon notice positive results.
Cayenne Pepper
As you can see, there are other effective and much safer ways to treat your strep throat besides antibiotics. Using some of them will help you solve your throat problem in a simple and natural way.
Strep Throat Home Care
Until the antibiotics start to work, these home treatments can help you or your child feel better:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to bring down a fever and ease the sore throat. Don’t give aspirin to children and teens. It can cause a rare but serious condition called Reyeâs syndrome.
- Rest: Stay home from school or work. You need extra rest to help your body fight off the infection.
- Gargling: Rinse with a mixture of a quarter-teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water to relieve a scratchy throat.
- Lozenges and hard candy: Older kids can suck on these to feel better. Avoid giving small pieces of candy to children 4 and younger.
- Lots of fluids: Do this especially if you have a fever. Water and warm liquids such as soup or tea soothe the throat and keep you hydrated. If cold feels better on your throat, suck on a frozen pop or ice chips. Avoid orange juice, lemonade, and other drinks that are high in acid. These can burn your throat.
- Soft foods: Examples include yogurt, applesauce, or frozen yogurt. They’re easier to swallow.
- Cool-mist humidifier or saline nasal spray: Moisture can help make your throat feel better.
Steer clear of anything that might bother your throat, like cigarette smoke, paint fumes, or cleaning products.
Show Sources
Read Also: Over The Counter Antibiotics Oral
Will Strep Throat Go Away On Its Own
We highly recommend being seen by a provider if you are concerned you may have strep throat. Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you dont take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.
Whatre more, complications resulting from the bacterial infection can lead to increased susceptibility to other viral infections like influenza which can be fatal.
Pro Tip: If you have been diagnosed with strep throat, you can help prevent repeat infections by changing your and your familys toothbrushes and thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces that may have been in contact with the strep virus.
Is Strep Throat Overmedicated
Mmmm.
Sounds like the idea of not administering antibiotics for strep throat may not be as crazy as it first sounds. Are doctors overmedicating strep throat just like they overmedicate ear infections, colds and sinus/respiratory infections?
A round of antibiotics has the potential to cause permanent damage to the gut flora. This, in turn, has a lifelong impact on overall immunity to both chronic and acute illness. Skipping those antibiotic pills altogether may prove in the long run to be the smartest approach of all.
You May Like: One Dose Of Antibiotics For Chlamydia
Don’t Miss: Can You Get A Flu Shot While Taking An Antibiotic
Natural Remedy For Strep Throat
- 3 Tablespoons of raw, organic honey
- 3 to 5 Slightly crushed cloves of organic garlic
- 1/8 Teaspoon of Cayenne powder
Mix these together and take one teaspoon of this mixture every hour. Simply swallow the garlic cloves whole, you dont need to chew them. Continue making this mixture and eating a teaspoon of it every hour until your sore throat is completely gone. Dont drink or eat anything for at least 20 minutes afterwards so these ingredients can do their work on your throat.
This mixture is very soothing and even those who dont care for garlic will find that, when mixed with honey, it tastes pretty good and works super-fast. Many people with strep throat lose their voices and this should restore your voice in a matter of hours! This mixture might seem too simple to fight something as strong as strep throat, but its absolutely 100 percent effective.
Be sure that the honey you are using is real honey, raw and organic, the way nature intended it. A great deal of the stuff you buy at the store isnt honey at all, but some type of corn syrup with a bit of coloring and perhaps a couple drops of pollen. Raw honey has about 5,000 enzymes, 27 minerals, 22 amino acids and lots of antibacterial properties that will help to kill that strep throat dead it its tracks. Find out more everything you wanted to know about raw honey.
Cayenne pepper will bring fresh blood to the area to promote healing. Its also high in vitamin C, which supports the immune system.
