Strep Throat

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KEY POINTS
• Strep throat is an infection of the throat caused by bacteria called
group A streptococcus. It is very contagious.
• If your healthcare provider suspects you have strep, he or she may
prescribe an antibiotic medicine before you have all the results from
the lab tests including a throat swab for a rapid strep test. This
antibiotic medicine may be taken as pills or given as a shot.
• Follow the full treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. If
you are taking an antibiotic medicine, take the medicine for as long
as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. If you
stop taking the medicine too soon, you may not kill all of the bacteria
and you may get sick again.
• Wash your hands often and especially after using the restroom,
coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Also wash your hands
before eating or touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
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What is strep throat?

Strep throat is an infection of the throat caused by bacteria called group A
streptococcus.

What is the cause?

Strep infections are very contagious. Strep is passed to others by sneezing, coughing,
or touching something with the bacteria on it. Strep can be on surfaces such as toys,
cups or plates, door handles, or telephones.
Strep throat is common in school-age children. Children under 2 years old and adults
who are not exposed to children are much less likely to get strep throat. Strep is most
common from November through April, but it can happen any time of year.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:
• Severe sore throat and painful swallowing
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
• Fever
• Headaches
• Fine red rash on trunk and arms
• Muscle aches
• Swollen, red tonsils with white patches

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 How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and
examine you. Usually you will have a rapid strep test. Your provider will rub a cotton
swab against your tonsil or the back of your throat to get a sample for testing. The
results may be available in an hour or less. In some cases, a swab is sent to the lab and
tested, which is a more accurate test. If you have a bacterial infection, it may take 2 to
3 days to find out what kind of germ is causing it. Knowing what germ is causing the
infection and which medicines work best to treat it helps your provider choose the
right medicine.

How is it treated?
If your healthcare provider suspects you have strep, he or she may prescribe an
antibiotic medicine before you have all the results from the lab tests. This medicine
may be taken as pills or given as a shot.
The symptoms of strep throat may go away as soon as 24 hours after you start
treatment. The symptoms rarely last longer than 5 days.
It is important to treat strep throat. Not getting treatment for strep throat or not taking
all the medicine prescribed can lead to complications that may involve the heart and
kidneys.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:
• If you are taking an antibiotic medicine, take the medicine for as long as your
healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. If you stop taking the
medicine too soon, you may not kill all of the bacteria and you may get sick again.
• For a sore throat:
• Make sure you drink plenty of liquids. Drink clear soup, cold drinks, and other
clear, nutritious liquids. If eating hurts your throat, don't force yourself to eat
solid food. When you can eat more foods, choose healthy food to give you
strength and to help fight the infection.
• Gargle with warm saltwater. You can make your own by mixing 1/2 teaspoon
salt with 1 cup of warm water.
• Suck on lozenges, hard candy, ice, or frozen ice pops.
• Don't talk a lot. Rest your voice.
• Use a humidifier to put more moisture in the air. Avoid steam vaporizers
because they can cause burns. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean, as
recommended in the manufacturer's instructions. It's important to keep
bacteria and mold from growing in the water container.
• Put warm compresses on your neck.
• If you smoke or use e-cigarettes, try to quit. Do not breathe second-hand
smoke.

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 • If you have a fever, rest and limit your activities until the fever is gone. Do not go
to work until the fever is gone or you have been on the antibiotic medicine for 24
to 48 hours.
• Ask your healthcare provider if you can take acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen
to reduce your fever and to relieve pain. Read the label and take as directed.
Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, you should not take these
medicines for more than 10 days.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen,
naproxen, and aspirin, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These
risks increase with age.
• Acetaminophen may cause liver damage or other problems. Unless
recommended by your provider, don't take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in
24 hours. To make sure you don’t take too much, check other medicines you
take to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Ask your provider if you need
to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
Ask your provider:
• How and when you will get your test results
• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to normal
activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have
them
Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all
appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent strep throat?

The following suggestions may help you prevent spread of a strep infection to others:
• Wash your hands with soap and running water often and especially after using
the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Also wash your hands
before eating or touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
• Stay home when you are sick. Avoid close contact with other people, especially
kissing and hugging, until you have taken the antibiotic medicine for 24 to 48
hours.
• Use paper cups, or separate cups, and paper towels in bathrooms instead of
shared drinking cups and hand towels.
• Don’t share food and eating utensils with others.
• Be careful not to let your nose or mouth touch drinking fountains.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to
inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Developed by Change Healthcare.

Published by Change Healthcare.

Produced in Cork, Ireland.

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