The bacteria that cause strep throat tend to hang out in the nose and throat. So normal activities like talking, sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can easily spread an infection from one person to another. People also can get infected if they touch a surface with the bacteria on it, then touch their nose or mouth.
Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus. Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks.
“One of the problems is the incubation period for strep throat. In that two-to-five-day window when you may not be quite symptomatic and febrile yet, you could still pass it on because strep throat is highly contagious,” Dr. Hardy said, noting “it is passed on mainly through respiratory droplets.”
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.
No, strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection. However, maintaining good hygiene can help reduce the risk of transmission.
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.
What Are Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat?
If you or a loved one has strep throat, stay home from work, school and other activities until the fever is gone. You should also take antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to regular activities. Talk to your health care provider about how long you should stay home.
Viral illnesses that can cause sore throat that may be mistaken for strep throat include:
The most common symptoms of strep throat are a sudden and severe sore throat, pain when you swallow, and fever. Other symptoms include swollen tonsils and lymph nodes and white or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat. You may also have a headache and belly pain.
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.
“We don't know why; it's one of the mysteries of medicine. So, if your kid is under 3, they probably don't have strep.” “The symptoms of strep that you would want to be more alert for are a kid who has a sore throat, but no runny nose or cough.” Dr.
Group A streptococcus bacteria produces toxins that can affect different parts of the body. These toxins may cause systemic symptoms, including stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
Children who are in close contact with others, such as in school or daycare, are at a higher risk of contracting the infection. Children who develop strep throat repeatedly may have contact with a carrier of strep, likely at home or in a child care setting — or they may be strep carriers themselves.
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.
While group A strep bacteria circulate year-round, they're more common in December through April ("high season"). Rates of group A strep disease were notably low throughout the year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strep throat, in most cases, tends to be more severe than the flu, leading to worse symptoms like high fever and intense throat pain. As strep throat is caused by bacteria, while the flu is viral, they demand different treatment approaches.
Strep throat is usually transmitted through contact with droplets and respiratory secretions from a person with infection, such as through coughing and sneezing. People are no longer contagious within 12 hours of beginning appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
These bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial sore throat in children and teens. Strep throat usually needs treatment with antibiotics. With the proper medical care — and plenty of rest and fluids — most kids get back to school and play within a few days.
The typical strep throat symptoms that health care providers look for include:
Warning Signs for an ER Visit
If strep throat symptoms progress to the point where breathing becomes labored or you experience shortness of breath, immediate emergency medical care is necessary.
As we've established, bacteria from strep can cause pneumonia if it gets into your lungs and airways. Pneumonia can cause an array of symptoms that vary in severity including fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, and joint pain.
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.
Foods to Avoid when You have Strep Throat