The Duration Dilemma: How Long Does Strep Throat Last?
By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Have you ever had a nasty sore throat, so painful that swallowing felt like a chore? That might be strep throat. This common infection tends to give doctors a run for their money when it comes to diagnosis. Unlike a routine sore throat, strep throat poses bigger risks due to its bacterial nature. Wondering about its duration and potential pitfalls? We’ve got you covered!
We’ll walk you through all you need to know about strep throat – from its onset to recovery. You’ll also learn the ‘why’s’ and ‘how’s’ – why it happens and how it can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented. And, importantly, we’ll clear up the confusion between a regular sore throat and strep throat.
Did You Know?
Before we jump into the details, let’s take a short tour of what strep throat is all about.
The culprit behind strep throat is often group A Streptococcus, a bad guy in the form of a bacterium.
Strep throat has a stealth mode. It doesn’t show any visible signs on your skin. However, the real chaos happens internally.
While these symptoms are not as common, they indicate that the infection is more severe:
There are many different types of bacteria and viruses that can cause a sore throat. Many of the symptoms overlap between the agents causing sore throat (pharyngitis), streptococcal throat infection being one of them and therefore it is very difficult to differentiate between strep pharyngitis and other causes of pharyngitis without testing.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Think you might have strep throat? Here’s what to do and what to expect during a doctor’s visit.
If you’ve got strep throat symptoms for more than a couple of days, it’s best to see a healthcare provider. Particularly if you have been around a strep throat sufferer.
Two main steps help identify if you have strep throat.
At first, your doctor will check for strep-related signs and symptoms. These include:
To confirm if it’s strep throat, your doctor will swab the back of your throat. Results can take up to two days.
Symptoms of strep throat infection usually begin to subside after 2-3 days of initiating the antibiotics. Since, this is a bacterial infection of throat, complete the full course of antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor. Patients often stop the medicines as soon as they start feeling better on the second day but this can lead to antibiotic resistance.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Once confirmed that it’s strep throat, let’s discuss the treatment options available and how to gear up for your doctor’s appointment.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, likely penicillin or amoxicophen if diagnosed with strep throat. If taken within 48 hours of the onset of the illness, antibiotics reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, as well as the risk of complications.
Managing strep throat symptoms can help make the healing journey a bit less painful.
Home treatments could also help with throat pain and swelling:
There are a few things you can do while waiting to see the doctor.
The doctor will do a routine check-up and might take a swab from your throat to test for strep throat.
Try these strategies while waiting to visit your doctor:
Usually streptococcal sore throat lasts for 7 – 10 days without treatment. Following antibiotic treatment, patients may see the resolution of symptoms within one to 3 days and may return to work or school after 24 hours of treatment.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
Let’s shine a light on the possible pitfalls and ways to prevent them.
Your chances of getting strep throat rise if you’re near a person with strep throat.
Keeping clean and staying away from someone with strep throat can help dodge the infection.
These habits can fend off strep throat:
Avoid being near a strep throat sufferer at least till they’ve been on antibiotics for a day or two.
Not treating strep throat can lead to kidney disease and rheumatic fever, a rare disease that harms the heart.
Let’s recap the risks, prevention, and possible complications of strep throat:
| Strep Throat Risks | Ways to Avoid Strep Throat | Possible Outcomes of Untreated Strep Throat |
|---|---|---|
| Nearness to a strep throat carrier | Stay clean & avoid contact with infected persons | Kidney disease, Rheumatic fever |
Knowing how long strep throat lasts can help you better navigate the recovery process.
With treatment, you could start feeling better in one to two days. Full recovery usually takes about a week. Without treatment, it still gets better in five to seven days but with a higher risk of problems.
Medical treatment can greatly impact the recovery timeline.
With antibiotics, most people start to feel better within one or two days. They can return to normal life after a day of taking antibiotics. It normally takes about a week to fully recover.
Without antibiotics, strep throat generally takes five to seven days to improve. But, you risk staying contagious longer and inviting potential complications.
Strep throat is highly catchy. Carriers can spread the infection until they’ve been on antibiotics for a day or two. If untreated, you can spread it to others for 21 days or more.
Strep throat and a simple sore throat often get mixed up due to similar symptoms. It’s important to tell them apart for accurate treatment.
Sore throat and strep throat may seem alike, but they are different in terms of symptoms, causes, and treatment plans.
A sore throat and strep throat both cause throat pain. But strep throat could also come with:
A viral infection like the common cold or the flu usually causes a sore throat. On the other hand, a bacterial infection (Group A Streptococcus) causes strep throat.
Here’s a helpful table on the difference between strep throat and a common sore throat:
| Type | Symptoms of Strep Throat | Symptoms of a Sore Throat |
|---|---|---|
| Causes | Sore throat, white patches on tonsils/throat, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, might feel nauseous, or vomit | Sore throat only |
| Causes | Bacteria (Group A Streptococcus) | Typically, virus (common cold, flu) |
While strep throat is a common ailment, it deserves careful attention due to the discomfort and potential problems if ignored. Although it may seem mild, swiftly treating it is important to avoid serious issues down the road. Always consult with your healthcare provider at the onset of strep-like symptoms.
Never overlook antibiotics for treating strep throat and cutting down its course. Stick to your prescribed meds for full recovery. And keep in mind – easing symptoms and preventing spread also matter while you’re on the mend.
In short, knowing how to tell strep throat from a regular sore throat empowers you to make safer health decisions. Remember, when unsure, always turn to your healthcare provider for advice.
If left untreated, strep throat can last from 5 to 7 days. However, treatment speeds recovery and prevents potential complications.
Untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney problems and rare rheumatic fever. It could also cause an abscess next to the tonsils or scarlet fever.
Quickly recovering from strep throat requires taking the full course of prescribed antibiotics, drinking lots of fluids, resting, and using over-the-counter remedies for symptom relief.
Although strep throat could get better after about a week, antibiotics are necessary. This cuts down on symptom duration, avoids problems, and reduces infection spread chances.
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