How long is too long for strep throat?

The symptoms of strep throat may go away as soon as 24 hours after you start treatment. The symptoms rarely last longer than 5 days. You can be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks if you're not treated. But if you take antibiotics, you will stop being contagious after about 24 hours.

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How long can strep throat go untreated?

A. Strep throat typically resolves in three to five days if untreated. Despite the short duration, antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications. Symptoms typically resolve within one to three days following the start of antibiotics.

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Why is my strep throat not going away?

Resistance to antibiotics.

Because it is a bacterial infection, most providers prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection, with penicillin or amoxicillin. However, if you're treated with antibiotics too often, the bacteria can become resistant to antibiotic treatment.

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What happens if you leave strep throat for too long?

Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats. If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.

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Can strep throat last longer than 10 days?

If your strep throat persists for more than ten days, you should really see a doctor or a health practitioner. They will prescribe the antibiotics that can be used to combat the ailment.

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Ask Dr. Burke - Strep Throat

38 related questions found

Is it normal to have strep throat for 2 weeks?

It's important to see your doctor if you think you have strep throat, because, untreated, it can lead to very serious health problems. Once you start treatment, your symptoms will probably be gone in about a week. But if you don't start feeling in a day or two, make sure you call your doctor.

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Why is my strep throat not getting better with antibiotics?

If someone keeps getting a sore throat after taking the right antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier and have a viral throat infection. Talk to a doctor if you think you or your child may be a strep carrier.

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What's the longest strep throat can last?

Strep throat typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Typically, strep throat can last for 7- 10 days. Strep throat symptoms improve between the third and fourth day. Consult your physician if your symptoms worsen after three days or if they do not improve after 7–10 days.

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Can strep turn into mono?

No. Mono is caused by a virus called EBV. Strep throat is a bacterial infection. They often present with similar symptoms, but since one is viral and the other is bacterial, they will require different treatment.

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When should I be concerned about strep A?

Parents and carers are advised to call 999 or go to A&E if your child is showing signs of bloodstream infection (invasive Group A Streptococcus) which include noisy breathing or difficulty breathing, pauses in your child's breathing, your child's skin, tongue or lips are blue and/or your child is floppy, drowsy and or ...

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Can strep throat not get better after 7 days?

Strep symptoms often begin to improve by about day 3-4 of illness, or 3 days after starting antibiotics. If you find your symptoms are worsening after 3 days, or not improving at all after 7-10 days, speak with your healthcare provider.

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What feels like strep but isn't strep?

If you or your child has a sore throat but tests negative for strep, your healthcare provider will consider other conditions resembling strep, like the common cold or flu, to make a diagnosis. Noninfectious causes of sore throats, like allergies or acid reflux, will also be considered.

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Why is my throat still sore after taking antibiotics?

Chronic pharyngitis has many potential underlying causes, and if a sore throat does not clear up even after a course of antibiotics, it is best to seek further medical advice.

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Why does my sore throat last 3 weeks?

Chronic pharyngitis is a persistent sore throat that lingers for a few weeks or returns frequently. Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by infection, environmental pollutants, allergies or acid reflux. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause.

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How do you tell if it's strep or mono?

For instance, when you have strep throat, you will notice white patches on your tonsils. You may also discover red spots on the roof of your mouth. With mono, spleen enlargement is a common side effect, so you may feel pressure or pain in the upper left area of your abdomen.

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Can strep turn into meningitis?

The most significant one is Streptococcus pneumoniae, probably the leading etiologic agent of meningitis worldwide, both in adults and children. In the beta-hemolytic group, the most notable is group B Streptococcus (GBS) – the most common cause of meningitis in neonates and young infants.

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Are you tired with strep throat?

While throat pain and fever are the most common and notable symptoms of strep throat, other signs of this bacterial infection may include: Body aches. Fatigue. Red, swollen tonsils (possibly with white patches or streaks of pus)

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What kills streptococcus bacteria naturally?

Apple Cider Vinegar with Honey and Cinnamon – ACV helps kill streptococcus bacteria in the throat that causes strep infections while honey soothes sore throats.

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How do you treat resistant strep throat?

Many antibiotics---such as penicillin-can be used to treat recurrent strep throat infections. Clindamycin or rifampin, in combination with a second antibiotic, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or a cephalosporin, has been used to treat acute, recurrent, and carrier strep throat infections.

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What is the strongest antibiotic for strep throat?

Penicillin or amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice to treat group A strep pharyngitis. There has never been a report of a clinical isolate of group A strep that is resistant to penicillin. However, resistance to azithromycin and clarithromycin is common in some communities.

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What is invasive strep throat?

Group A strep is considered invasive when the bacteria infect an area that doesn't normally have bacteria. “So, for example, your blood or your bone or your joint or your pleural space,” Eckard said. The pleural space is in the lung area.

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Can you have strep throat for 4 weeks?

Strep throat most often goes away in 3 to 7 days with or without antibiotic treatment. If strep throat isn't treated with antibiotics, you can still spread the infection for 2 to 3 weeks even if your symptoms go away.

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Can strep throat still hurts after antibiotics?

If strep throat returns after treatment with antibiotics, there may be close exposure to a strep carrier, a person who carries the Streptococcus bacteria in the throat but has no symptoms of a strep infection. In these cases, it is appropriate to treat the strep carrier to stop recurring infections.

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Why wont my worst sore throat go away?

If your sore throat persists for more than a week, you should contact a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. There may be an underlying condition that requires medication.

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