Yes, strep throat very commonly makes you tired, causing significant fatigue, body aches, and a general feeling of being unwell, often described as feeling "hit by a truck," along with fever and a severe sore throat. This exhaustion makes it hard to do daily activities and is a key symptom of the bacterial infection, which drains your body as it fights the illness.
“If you're over the age of 3 and you've been exposed to strep throat or have a current infection with strep throat, the most common symptoms that we're familiar with usually include fever, having that sore throat type of feeling and fatigue.”
Five common signs of strep throat include a sudden, painful sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils with white patches, and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck, often without typical cold symptoms like a cough. Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (petechiae) and a sandpaper-like rash (scarlet fever) can also occur.
Treatment for strep throat during pregnancy typically involves antibiotics, which are safe for both you and your baby when prescribed by a healthcare provider. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin, and are considered safe during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Strep Throat Infection
A young child who does not want favorite foods may have a sore throat. They may also start to cry during feedings. Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are not seen with Strep throat.
Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you don't take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.
No, strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection. However, maintaining good hygiene can help reduce the risk of transmission.
After dealing with strep throat, it's best to throw out and replace your toothbrush. Additionally, be sure to disinfect the toothbrush holder. Bacteria can live on these surfaces, and you can continue to infect yourself with strep throat.
Strep throat is highly contagious and you're contagious for 2-5 days before symptoms, but if treated with antibiotics, you're usually no longer contagious after 24-48 hours (1-2 doses) and can return to school/work, while untreated, you can spread it for 2-3 weeks. To prevent spread, wash hands often, cover coughs, don't share items, and stay home until fever-free and 24 hours on antibiotics, say Healthline, Northwestern Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and KidsHealth.
Group A Streptococcus (also known as GAS or Strep A) is responsible for several benign infections but can also cause invasive and sometimes fatal infections. Group B Streptococcus (also known as GBS or Strep B) is responsible for severe invasive infections (including bacteremia and meningitis) in newborns.
If you've been diagnosed with strep throat, replace your toothbrush within 24 hours of starting antibiotics. The streptococcus bacteria is particularly resilient and can easily cause reinfection. Similarly, after COVID-19, replace your brush once you've tested negative or your symptoms have completely resolved.
With strep throat, your tonsils become very inflamed. This inflammation typically affects the surrounding area of your throat as well, which causes a sore throat (pharyngitis).
Symptoms appear about 2 to 5 days after coming in contact with the strep germ. They may be mild or severe. Common symptoms include: Fever that may begin suddenly and is often the highest on the second day.
Fatigue and sore throat are common symptoms of several possible illnesses. There are three causes (chronic fatigue, mononucleosis, and the flu) that are most commonly diagnosed when sore throat and fatigue are present. Learn more about each of these common illnesses and find the treatment you need.
In most cases, antibiotics will quickly wipe out the bacteria causing the infection. In the meantime, try these tips to relieve symptoms of strep throat: Get plenty of rest. Sleep helps your body fight infection.
Can I sleep next to someone with strep throat? It's best to avoid close contact, including sleeping next to an infected person, to reduce the risk of transmission.
They will likely recommend a rapid strep test or a throat culture. Once a diagnosis of strep throat is confirmed, a provider may prescribe an antibiotic treatment. Most treatments last for about 10 days. People typically start to feel better after about 1 or 2 days of treatment.
Gargle with Salt Water
Gargling warm salt water (about half a teaspoon in a cup of warm water) several times a day can reduce swelling, kill bacteria, and provide quick comfort.
“Certain types of viruses, including the flu, can live on hard surfaces like counters for up to 48 hours, and on soft surfaces like pillows for up to 12 hours,” says Susan Werner, MD, a family medicine provider at Geisinger Nanticoke. “Bacteria, like the one that causes strep throat, can live on surfaces for months.”
Here are nine strep throat remedies and self-care tips that can help you feel better while your immune system and antibiotics fight off strep.
You can even reinfect yourself. Strep bacteria can survive on surfaces for several days, and you can pick them up by touching them. This is common with toothbrushes. Change to a new toothbrush after the second day of being on the antibiotic to prevent reinfection.
The decaying cells give off a protein-like odor similar to that exuding from tonsil stones, though generally not as strong. Furthermore, many cases of strep throat involve post-nasal drip and running nose, WILX reports, both of which can contribute to the sickly-sweet smell of illness-related halitosis.
Strep throat infections are a common cause of sore throats among people of all ages, but they're especially common among kids. In fact, the CDC says about a third of sore throats in kids are due to strep bacterial infections. The good news: Strep throat responds very well to antibiotics.
Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes. Sharing a toothbrush can easily spread the bacteria and cause strep throat in others. Even if you don't share your toothbrush, it's important to replace it regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria.