Strep throat usually resolves with antibiotics within three to seven days, however it is possible for symptoms to last longer even after the treated infection has been eliminated. This can happen because of inflammation or swelling near the infection site, which can take a few days to heal completely.
Additionally, if a person has been exposed to Strep recently, a recurrence of symptoms may appear for several weeks (even after taking antibiotics) due to an incubation period related to exposure and the body’s production of antibodies.
It is recommended to consult a doctor for follow-up if symptoms persist even after completing an antibiotic course.
How long does it take to completely get over strep throat?
It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a person to fully recover from strep throat. Generally, strep throat can last anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. The most common symptom of strep throat is a sore throat usually accompanied by a fever and swollen lymph nodes.
Other symptoms may include difficulty or pain when swallowing, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. The majority of symptoms will usually go away after a few days of taking antibiotics, but some may last for a few weeks to a month.
It is important to finish prescribed antibiotics and follow the doctor’s advice to recover as quickly and completely as possible. During recovery, it is advised to take lots of fluids, rest, and eat healthy nutritional food.
In addition, using a humidifier or saline nasal wash can help reduce discomfort and ease your breathing. Although getting over strep throat can take a while, it is important to follow the doctor’s recommended treatment plan in order to ensure that the infection is completely cleared up and that you have a full recovery in the shortest time possible.
How can I speed up the recovery of strep throat?
To speed up the recovery of strep throat, it is important to take the proper medication prescribed by your doctor. In addition to taking antibiotics, there are several home remedies that can help treat symptoms and speed up recovery.
Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, or warm liquids such as tea or soup. This helps to keep the throat moist and ease discomfort.
Inhaling steam from hot showers, a humidifier, hot baths, or a pot of boiled water can help moisten your throat and make the mucus more liquid, allowing it to be coughed up easier. If you use a humidifier, take caution that bacteria doesn’t grow in it.
Gargling warm saltwater has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain in the throat. It can also help clean the irritated throat of bacteria.
Resting your voice is also important to speeding up recovery. Try not to speak in loud places or engage in any activities that could strain your vocal cords.
These steps can help you speed up the recovery from strep throat. Be sure to contact your doctor if symptoms do not improve or worsen.
Can strep come back after antibiotics?
Yes, it is possible for strep throat to come back after antibiotics. This happens when the bacteria causing the infection are not completely eliminated by the antibiotics. This can happen if antibiotic treatment is stopped too soon, or if the antibiotics used are not strong enough to kill the bacteria.
If a person gets a recurrence of strep throat after completing a course of antibiotics, they should consult a doctor to determine if they need to take a different antibiotic or a longer course of antibiotics.
It is important to finish all of the prescribed antibiotic to reduce the risk of recurrence. Getting a strep throat test done can also help to confirm the diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment.
To reduce the risk of recurrence, good hygiene habits such as frequent hand-washing and avoiding contact with people who have strep throat should be practiced.
Will strep throat go away if left untreated?
Strep throat may go away if left untreated, however, this is not recommended as it can lead to more serious complications such as rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, and even kidney inflammation. Complications from strep throat can be avoided if it is treated promptly and correctly.
Treatment typically consists of antibiotics prescribed by a physician, rest, and plenty of fluids. Treatment should begin at the first sign of symptoms to ensure the infection does not worsen.
Will strep throat in adults go away on its own?
Yes, in most cases strep throat in adults will go away on its own without any treatment. However, without antibiotics a throat infection will usually last about 7-10 days, whereas with antibiotics a throat infection will usually last about 2-3 days.
Therefore, it is encouraged to see a doctor to get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the severity of your throat infection and the results of your medical examinations, your doctor may recommend antibiotics.
It is important to take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor to shorten the duration of your infection and to reduce the possibility of long-term complications such as rheumatic fever. Additionally, over the counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be taken to help relieve the symptoms of strep throat such as throat pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Other home remedies such as gargling with salt water, staying hydrated, and taking throat lozenges can also help to ease throat pain.
How long should you quarantine with strep throat?
It is recommended that you quarantine for at least 24 hours after you or your family member has taken antibiotics for strep throat. This is to ensure that the antibiotics have had a chance to work and to prevent further spread of the infection.
It is also recommended that all members of your household stay home for at least 24 hours to avoid the risk of infecting other people outside the home. This can be especially important if you have a large family or if you are in close contact with anyone who has a compromised immune system.
Quarantining can help protect yourself and those around you from contracting or spreading the bacterial infection.
What happens if strep throat is untreated?
If strep throat is left untreated, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications. These complications include rheumatic fever, which can cause permanent damage to the heart valves, and kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis).
Strep throat can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the sinuses, middle ear, and the lungs. If it spreads, it can lead to sinusitis, otitis media (ear infection), and even pneumonia. In rare cases, an untreated strep infection can even cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s severe response to an infection.
To prevent these more severe complications, it is important to seek medical attention and receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for strep throat as soon as possible.
What causes recurring strep throat?
Recurring strep throat is caused by an infection of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. It is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with saliva, mucus, and nasal secretions from an infected person, or from coming into contact with shared objects such as dishes and toys.
People with a weakened immune system, such as those with diabetes, are at a higher risk of recurrent strep throat infections. Other risk factors for recurrent strep throat include living in overcrowded or unsanitary living conditions, not treating a previous infection with antibiotics properly, or having direct contact with someone who has a strep infection.
Sometimes, recurrent strep throat can be caused by a strain of GAS that has become resistant to antibiotics, requiring alternative methods of treatment to eliminate the infection.
Is 6 days of antibiotics enough for strep throat?
No, 6 days of antibiotics are not generally considered to be enough for strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria, and is most often treated with an antibiotic such as penicillin or amoxicillin.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 10 days of an antibiotic is the recommended treatment for strep throat in children. Although 6 days might be sufficient for some cases, it is generally recommended that the full 10 days of treatment be completed in order to ensure the infection is completely cleared.
In addition, it is important to take the entire course of medications as prescribed, even if symptoms begin to improve, as this will help reduce the chance of the infection becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Why do I keep getting a sore throat that comes and goes on one side?
It is possible that you have developed an infection like strep throat or a viral infection. It is also possible that you are experiencing allergies or a reaction to an irritant like cigarette smoke or polluted air.
Other potential causes of a sore throat include exposure to cold temperatures, acid reflux, or the use of an inhaler. If your sore throat persists for more than a few days or is accompanied by a fever, you should seek medical attention.
Additionally, if the sore throat does not improve with home remedies such as soothing throat lozenges or warm fluids and rest, you should speak to your doctor.