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Strep throat is a bacterial infection of your throat and tonsils caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. While it is most common in children, you can develop strep throat at any age.
Strep throat spreads through contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from someone carrying the bacteria. Coughing, sneezing, talking, and close contact can all increase transmission.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent strep throat, but a few everyday habits can reduce your risk:
You may experience mild side effects from taking antibiotics, such as:
Unlike the common cold or flu, which are caused by viruses, strep throat is caused by bacteria, and this difference impacts everything from diagnosis to treatment options. Telehealth for strep throat can also help determine whether further evaluation or testing may be a better option.
You may also be exposed by sharing cups, utensils, or food. Because strep throat can spread before you realize someone is sick, good hand hygiene and avoiding shared items can help limit exposure.
Strep symptoms can overlap with colds, flu, and other infections, so telehealth has limits. In some cases, you may need a strep test or an in-person examination before moving forward with a treatment plan.
Strep throat is especially common in school-age children, so a sudden sore throat and fever can understandably raise concerns. Common strep throat symptoms in children include:
Depending on your child's age and symptoms, online strep throat treatment may be a useful first step. Our licensed providers can review the information you provide and determine whether your child can be evaluated virtually or needs testing or an in-person examination.
Get urgent medical care if your child has trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing fluids, drooling, signs of dehydration, or appears very ill.
You can't always diagnose strep throat from symptoms alone. Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your provider may recommend a rapid strep test or throat culture before prescribing treatment. Testing can help confirm whether Group A Streptococcus bacteria are causing your sore throat.
Strep throat treatment depends on your provider’s evaluation as well as on your test results, medical history, medication allergies, and other factors that affect which option is safest for you.
When antibiotics are needed, providers commonly use penicillin or amoxicillin first. If you have a penicillin allergy, your provider may consider another antibiotic, such as azithromycin or clindamycin.
Take any prescribed antibiotic exactly as directed and complete the full course unless your provider tells you otherwise.
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With an online strep throat prescription from a provider at The CareMD, your infection should resolve in three to five days, and you may feel better even sooner. However, you must finish the full course of antibiotics.
Strep throat can resolve on its own, but it takes an average of three to seven days, and you may remain contagious for up to two weeks. Untreated strep throat also has a higher risk of complications.
Watch for fever, a red and swollen throat, white patches on your throat or tonsils that make swallowing painful, or swollen lymph nodes in your neck or jaw.
A cold is a viral infection, not a bacterial one, and can’t be treated with antibiotics. It doesn’t normally cause a fever, an extremely red throat, or white patches. Meanwhile, strep throat doesn’t typically cause coughing or a runny nose.
Yes, you can still become infected with strep throat even if you have had your tonsils removed. However, your risk of catching strep throat is slightly lower, and your symptoms may be less severe.
After you submit your consultation form, a licensed provider will review your information, often within a few hours. Your treatment timeline may vary if testing or an in-person visit is recommended.
Seek in-person care if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, signs of dehydration, severe or worsening symptoms, or if your provider recommends an exam or strep test.
Tell your provider about throat pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, swollen glands, rash, headache, nausea, vomiting, cough, or congestion. Also mention when symptoms started and whether they are getting worse.
Yes, but antibiotics reduce how easily strep spreads. The CDC recommends staying home until you are fever-free and have taken antibiotics for at least 12 to 24 hours.
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