Kids get strep throat from the highly contagious Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, spreading through respiratory droplets from coughs/sneezes, sharing items (cups, utensils), touching contaminated surfaces, or close contact in crowded places like schools and daycare centers, especially during winter months when germs spread easily.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
What is Streptococcal sore throat (strep throat)?
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.
Strep throat typically presents with a sudden, severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Unlike viral infections, strep throat rarely causes cough or nasal congestion, making these key differences important for an accurate diagnosis.
“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.
While hygiene plays a role in preventing infection spread, strep throat is primarily caused by exposure to bacteria, not poor cleanliness. Practicing good hygiene, such as handwashing, avoiding shared utensils, and covering the mouth when coughing, can reduce transmission but does not guarantee prevention.
Headache, fussiness. Red, sandpaper-like rash on body (scarlet fever) Sleeping more than usual. Stomachache, poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children.
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.
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.
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.
Survival Outside Host
The bacterium can survive on a dry surface for 3 days to 6.5 months.
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.
If you have strep throat, your throat and tonsils may appear red, sore and swollen. You may also have white patches, spots or streaks of pus on your throat and tonsils. In addition, you may develop tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae.
Many different viral illnesses can cause sore throat. Some common ones are rhinovirus (common cold), flu, adenovirus, and coronaviruses, like COVID-19. These typically lead to redness and rawness in the back of the throat. One virus that really mimics strep throat is the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono.
A person is no longer contagious after they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Throw away your toothbrush and get a new one after you have been on antibiotics for 24 hours and then again when you have completed the antibiotic regimen.
Strep throat can spread to others until 24 hours after you begin taking antibiotics. During this time, avoid contact with other people at work, school, or home, especially infants and children. Do not sneeze or cough on others, and wash your hands often.
Strep throat can cause intense pain that persists throughout the day. However, the pain may worsen at night due to increased postnasal drip or pain-relieving medications wearing off during the night. Other possible symptoms of strep throat include: pain when swallowing.
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.
Strep Throat Symptoms
The main symptom of strep throat in both adults and children is throat pain (pharyngitis) that may develop quickly, two to five days after exposure to the bacteria. Other strep throat symptoms: Pain when swallowing. Fever.