Understanding the Duration of Strep Throat Symptoms
Strep throat is a contagious and common infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Its symptoms include sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes.
How long is strep throat contagious? The duration of its symptoms can vary between people. Still, understanding the nature of the infection is crucial to diagnosing and treating it properly.
This article explores the duration of strep throat symptoms. We’ll include the time frame for when symptoms may begin to appear and how long they last.
Finally, you’ll get information on treatments and prevention methods to help reduce the duration of the infection’s symptoms.
What Is Strep Throat, and How Is It Contracted?
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Strep throat is the inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis) and tonsils (tonsillitis) caused by a group A streptococcus infection. This bacteria is only one of the many types of streptococcus bacteria. It causes sore or scratchy throat and white patches on your tonsils.
The bacteria are highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with someone infected. Sharing utensils, kissing, or exposure to the infected person’s sneezes or coughs helps spread the bacteria.
After a cough or sneeze, the tiny airborne droplets can settle on surfaces such as doorknobs, keyboards, and phones. Touching these surfaces and touching one’s mouth or nose can lead to infection.
How Long Does Strep Throat Usually Last?
There is no conclusive answer to how long strep throat can last. The recovery period differs for each person. Recovery usually depends on factors such as age, other health conditions, and treatment.
The duration of strep throat symptoms varies, but typically the symptoms persist for about 3–7 days without treatment. However, the symptoms usually improve with appropriate antibiotic treatment within one to two days. Some patients may even start to feel better within 3–5 days.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
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An individual with strep throat may exhibit symptoms such as scarlet fever, headache, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash.
It can be tricky to distinguish between strep throat and a regular sore throat based on symptoms alone because they are similar. However, here are some signs that suggest strep throat instead of a common sore throat:
- Severe sore throat without a runny nose or cough
- Difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
- Tender and swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Swollen, red tonsils with streaks of pus or white patches
- Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius)
- Headache and body aches
How to Manage Strep Throat Symptoms
Strep throat is a bacterial infection and requires antibiotic treatment prescribed by a healthcare provider. Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate some symptoms but will not treat strep throat.
Some over-the-counter remedies that may relieve strep throat symptoms include the following:
- Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen alleviate nose and throat pain and reduce fever.
- Throat lozenges or sprays to soothe the throat.
- Saltwater gargles help alleviate sore throat pain and reduce inflammation.
- Over-the-counter cough syrups or drops to alleviate coughing.
In addition to a soft diet to avoid irritating the throat, here are home remedies that can help soothe symptoms:
- Cold or warm beverages (don’t give honey to children under one year of age).
- Cold or frozen desserts such as popsicles, sucking on ice, and sucking on hard candy (not recommended for school-aged children).
- Gargling warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water).
Consult a doctor if you suspect you have strep throat. A healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis with a rapid strep test and a throat culture and prescribe appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Getting medical attention as soon as possible is important. Untreated strep throat can lead to complications like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation.
Consult a doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe sore throat or difficulty opening the mouth, persistent fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, rash, and joint pain or swelling.
Speed Up Your Recovery Time
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- If your healthcare provider has prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed and finish the entire course of medication.
- Drink plenty of fluids, like water, broth, or herbal tea, to keep your throat moist and help flush out toxins.
- Rest enough to allow your body to recover and conserve energy for fighting the infection.
- Gargle with warm salt water to help soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation.
- Eat soft, soothing food. Stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods like soup, yogurt, or mashed potatoes that won’t irritate your throat.
- Avoid smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, and other irritants like air pollution or strong cleaning products.
- Wash your hands regularly and avoid sharing utensils, cups, or towels with others to prevent the spread of infection.
Strep throat can be highly contagious, so it is critical to take precautions to prevent spreading it to others. To avoid spreading the infection to others, follow these steps:
- When you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands.
- Wash your hands with water and soap, particularly after coughing or sneezing and before preparing food or eating.
- Do not share utensils, cups, or towels with others, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with strep throat, stay home from school or work until you have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours and are no longer contagious.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated with strep bacteria, such as doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom fixtures.
Conclusion
Recognizing the symptoms of strep throat is essential to seek treatment early. Generally, this infection ranges from mild to severe and lasts 3 to 14 days. Also, don’t forget to practice good hygiene and avoid close contact with people with strep throat.
Understanding the duration of symptoms will help you take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Most importantly, you get the appropriate treatment for a quicker recovery.
