Yes, strep throat generally goes away on its own in three to five days.
Nonetheless, antibiotics are generally recommended based on certain lab tests.
- Many who do not take antibiotics in a confirmed case of strep throat may remain contagious for as long as two weeks and even be at a higher risk of complications.
- Because most cases of sore throat are caused by a viral infection, you can not take antibiotics for sore throat unless prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may prescribe you penicillin or other antibiotics related to penicillin for the treatment of strep throat. In case you are allergic to penicillin, your doctor will prescribe another antibiotic.
Treatment with antibiotics not only relieves the symptoms and clears the infection but also reduces the chances of passing on the disease to others.
Treatment for strep throat is important as untreated infection can lead to serious complications, such as:
- Rheumatic fever (a serious condition causing inflammation of the heart, joints, brain, and skin)
- Kidney disease (also called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis)
- Scarlet fever (a condition causing bright red rash all over the body)
- Joint inflammation (arthritis)
- Secondary infections (such as viral infections that can make the condition more difficult to manage)
- Middle ear infection
- Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) and peritonsillar abscess (pus collection around the tonsils)
- Sinusitis
- Skin infections
- Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal (PANDAS) infections (neuropsychiatric problems, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and tic symptoms in a child following a strep infection) are a very rare complication proposed due to strep infection; many experts even debate its existence
How is strep throat treated?
The treatment of strep throat includes:
- Antibiotics (such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or other antibiotics in case of allergy to penicillin)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen)
- Saltwater gargles (one-fourth to half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water)
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Hard candies or lozenges to manage throat irritation or dryness (avoid giving to young children, you may give them popsicles or cold liquids instead)
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is a type of throat infection caused by the bacteria called group A streptococcus. This bacteria lives in the nose and throat and may not cause symptoms in every person. Despite the absence of symptoms, the infected person can still spread the infection to others when they cough or sneeze.
When the infected person sneezes or coughs, small droplets are generated that contain the bacteria. The infection spreads to others when they:
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
The symptoms of strep throat may vary. Generally, they are mild although the throat pain is often intense. Cough is typically absent.
Symptoms of strep throat may include:
- Sore throat (generally sudden onset)
- Fever
- Pain during swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes or glands in the neck
- Tiny small red spots on the roof of the mouth (palate)
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting
- Feeling unwell
- Abdominal pain
- Skin rash (also called scarlatina or scarlet fever)
How is strep throat diagnosed?
The diagnosis of strep throat is done by a healthcare provider based on your symptoms, physical examinations, and certain lab tests.
Your doctor needs to collect a throat swab and send it for lab examination (rapid strep test and throat culture) to confirm that you have a strep infection. If the lab report comes positive for strep infection, your doctor will prescribe the antibiotics and other necessary medications.
QUESTION
Just about any painful sore throat is caused by strep. See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Strep Throat: All You Need to Know. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html
Stead W. Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-adults-beyond-the-basics/print
Brown WA. PANDAS: Nonexistent or Simply Rare? https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/pandas-nonexistent-or-simply-rare
Top Can Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own Related Articles
What Is the Difference Between Strep Throat and Sore Throat?
What Is The Difference Between Strep Throat and Sore Throat? Learn how to identify the symptoms and treat these throat conditions effectively.
doxycycline
Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox, Acticlate, Acticlate Cap, Doryx, Doxteric, Doxy, Monodox, and others) is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic derived from tetracycline. It is used to treat many different types of infections, including respiratory tract infections due to Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus, pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It also is used for the treatment of nongonococcal urethritis (due to Ureaplasma), Rocky mountain spotted fever, typhus, chancroid, cholera, brucellosis, anthrax, syphilis, and acne. It is important to be aware of drug interactions, effects on pregnancy and nursing mothers, as well as common side effects on the user.erythromycin
Erythromycin is an antibiotic prescribed to treat a variety of infections. The most frequent side effects of erythromycin are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Consult with your doctor about any medications or supplements you may be taking and if there is potential for drug interactions with erythromycin. Check with your doctor before taking erythromycin if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Several home remedies may cure pain and other symptoms associated with a sore throat. However, it is imperative to note that these are not effective against bacterial infections, such as strep throat.
How Can I Get Rid of Strep Throat Fast?
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, however, in some cases, the sore throat might be caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). Learn what medical treatments can help ease your strep throat symptoms and speed up your recovery. Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (such as cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria. Your doctor may advise and prescribe antibiotics for you when you have a bacterial infection or pus in your throat.
Is Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Contagious?
Pharyngitis is a contagious infection that can spread from one person to another. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, you may be more or less contagious. Evaluation from a healthcare provider can help diagnose the cause of your sore throat.
Is Strep Throat Contagious?
Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Incubation period for strep throat is 1-5 days after exposure. If strep throat is treated with antibiotics, it is no longer contagious after 24 hours; if it is not treated with antibiotics, it is contagious for 2-3 weeks. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, white spots or patches on the tonsils, and nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis of strep throat is performed through a rapid strep test.pectin oropharyngeal
Pectin oropharyngeal is a medication used for short-term relief of occasional minor oral irritations and sore throat. Pectin oropharyngeal is available over the counter (OTC) in the form of lozenges. Do not administer pectin oropharyngeal to a child younger than 3 years of age. Pectin oropharyngeal has no reported side effects. Pectin oropharyngeal has no listed severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.Penicillin (Antibiotics)
Penicillin antibiotics are prescribed to treat a variety of types of infections. For example, middle ear and sinus infections; bladder, stomach, intestines, and kidney; pneumonia; sepsis; meningitis; endocarditis; and many other serious infections. Examples of penicillin antibiotics, side effects, drug interactions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.phenol oropharyngeal
Phenol oropharyngeal is a medication used to relieve pain from sore throat and mouth, canker sores, and teething, and as a local antiseptic to protect minor cuts, scrapes, or burns in the skin from infection. Phenol oropharyngeal relieves sore throat by numbing the mouth and throat. Common side effects of phenol oropharyngeal include inflammation of epiglottis (epiglottitis), swelling of epiglottis and the voice box (larynx), and skin irritation. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm leaves, raw garlic, Throat Coat tea, sage, and acupuncture. Typical symptoms of a sore throat include throat pain, coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Sore throats are caused by viral (common cold, flu, mumps), bacterial (tonsillitis, some STDs), toxins, allergens, trauma or injury, or "mechanical causes" (breathing through the mouth).
Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Explore the causes of a sore throat, including strep throat, and learn how to find relief from that raw, scratchy throat pain.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and fever. Strep throat symptoms in infants and children are different than in adults. Strep throat is contagious and is generally passed from person to person. Treatment for strep throat symptoms includes home remedies and OTC medication; however, the only cure for strep throat is antibiotics.
Strep Throat Picture
Strep infection often produces a distinct pattern of white patches in the throat and on the tonsils, as well as red swollen tonsils. See a picture of Step Throat and learn more about the health topic.What Causes Strep Throat and How Long Does It Last?
Strep throat is a contagious infection that can be very uncomfortable. Learn the signs of strep throat, what causes strep throat, how doctors diagnose strep throat, and how doctors can treat strep throat.
What Kills and Helps Fix a Sore Throat Fast?
Sore throat, or pharyngitis, refers to pain, tenderness, or discomfort in the throat. Things that kill a sore throat fast include saltwater gargles, herbal teas, honey and lemon, apple cider vinegar, and other remedies.