How Long Is Strep Contagious? Timeline, Prevention & Recovery Tips

Strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes. The infection can occur with pain, a swollen feeling, and fever that makes swallowing difficult. But beyond this discomfort, the real concern is: How long is strep contagious? Whether you want to avoid catching strep or are in the season of this infection, knowing when the infection stops spreading is key!

Explore the blog and learn how long the strep remains contagious and how to treat and prevent it! 

How Long Is Strep Throat Contagious?

It will entirely depend on whether you are taking an antibiotic treatment or not.

• Without Antibiotics: Strep throat contagious period is about 2 to 3 weeks even when the symptoms start improving. During this period, the bacteria causing strep throat can spread via respiratory droplets, saliva, and touching contaminated surfaces.

• With Antibiotics: No longer spreading of the infection after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. They do not remain contagious after taking the complete prescribed course.

Note: Some infected people do not have symptoms. These individuals are less contagious than the ones who experience strep throat symptoms. 

When Is Strep Throat Most Contagious?

Strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis is most contagious:

• Before symptoms appear (incubation period of around 2 to 5 days).

• During the initial few days of infection, when symptoms are very severe.

• If not treated, this allows the strep-causing bacteria to continue spreading.

How Long Does Strep Throat Last?

Strep throat lasts for 7 to 10 days. 

• Onset of Symptoms: Usually develops within 2-5 days of exposure to the streptococcal-causing bacteria. 

• Duration of Symptoms: Improves in about 7 to 10 days, even without antibiotic treatment. 

• With Antibiotic Treatment: May improve within 1 to 2 days with antibiotics. You should complete an antibiotic course (usually 10 days) to prevent complications. 

Note: Some individuals may experience symptoms of strep throat for more than 10 days. If any symptoms worsen or persist even after taking antibiotics, see a doctor. 

When is Strep No Longer Contagious?

Once you are on antibiotic treatment, you can no longer spread the bacteria after 24-48 hours. But here are a few things to consider:

• Complete the entire antibiotic course, even when you are feeling better after taking antibiotics.

• Finish the complete course, which is usually 10 days, to ensure the strep throat is fully eliminated and to prevent complications.

• Moreover, stay at home and avoid school, work, and social gatherings until you have been on antibiotic treatment for 24 hours and the fever subsides.

• Also, practice good hygiene like covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and washing your hands frequently to prevent the risk of spreading. 

How Does Strep Throat Spread?

Strep throat is contagious and can spread through:

• Respiratory droplets: From sneezing or coughing.

• Sharing food, drinks, or utensils: Spread through the saliva of an infected person.

• Contact with contaminated surfaces: Touching contaminated surfaces like doorknobs, toys, tabletops, phones, etc., and then touching your face.

• Close contact: For instance, getting the infection from an infected person when in daycare centers, schools, or houses.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

An early symptom is a sore throat that you feel suddenly and then may quickly develop a high fever (101° or above ) on the second day of this infection. Other symptoms may include:

• Painful swallowing

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

• Nausea or vomiting

• Red rashes on the body

• Chills

• Headache

• Body aches

• Abdominal pain

• Loss of appetite

Common Symptoms in Kids:

• White & red patches on the throat

• Difficulty in swallowing

• Headache

• Lower stomach pain

• General discomfort

• Uneasiness or ill feeling

• loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Rash

See a doctor if symptoms last more than 10 days or worsen despite antibiotics.

Risk Factors for Strep Throat

These factors can raise the chances of getting strep throat:

• Young age: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that strep throat often occurs in children between 5 and 15 years of age and is rare in those who are under 3 years old.

• Close contact or being in crowded places: Close contact or spending time with an infected person in daycare centers, workplaces, schools, or large, crowded settings.

• Time of year: Infections commonly occur in late winter & early spring, highly increasing the risk of transmission.

• Genetics: The infection running in the family can also increase the risk.

• Weak immune system: This makes an individual more prone to getting infected.

When To See a Doctor?

If you are not feeling well after 1-2 days of taking antibiotics, do not discontinue the antibiotics and see a doctor immediately. Also, seek medical help if you experience the following symptoms:

• Fever

• Nausea or vomiting

• Ear pain

• Headache

• Skin rash

• Muscle pain

• Cough

• Chest pain

• Dark urine

• Swollen glands

• Painful joints

• Shortness of breath

The doctors may help diagnose the infection with a strep test or throat culture and provide effective treatment.

Treatment for Strep Throat

The doctors may suggest antibiotic treatment and some lifestyle changes:

1. Antibiotic Treatment: 

• Antibiotics for strep include amoxicillin or penicillin.

• In case a person is allergic to penicillin, doctors prescribe cephalexin. 

• The course of antibiotics generally lasts for about 10 days. 

2. Pain Relief Medications:

• Doctors may suggest pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• These pain relievers are prescribed to relieve a sore throat and reduce fever. 

3. Lifestyle Modifications:

• Take Rest: Take adequate rest to help the body recover and fight against the infection. 

• Have Fluids: Drink a lot of fluids like water, juice, soup, or broth to maintain a proper hydration level.  

• Gargle using salt water: Gargling using warm salt water many times in a day can soothe the sore throat. 

• Wash your hands frequently: This prevents the transmission of bacteria.

• Cover your mouth and nose: This prevents the spread of bacteria through droplets when coughing or sneezing.

Home Remedies for Strep Throat

Try these home remedies to relieve symptoms of strep throat:

• Eat soft foods like applesauce to soothe your sore throat.

• Drink soothing beverages like warm tea to relieve discomfort caused by a sore throat.

• Gargle using warm salt water to kill bacteria and relieve throat pain.

• Have throat lozenges for temporary pain relief and to keep the throat moist.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your throat lubricated, relieve pain, and alleviate dehydration.

• Use a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer to keep your nasal passages and throat moist and prevent irritation.

• Take OTC pain medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen to relieve pain and fever.

Important Note: Don't give aspirin to children as it can cause a fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in adolescents and children who have fevers. 

Complications of Untreated Strep Throat

If left untreated, strep throat can lead to some mild or severe complications:

Common Complications:

• Rheumatic fever

• Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis)

• Scarlet fever

• Ear infections

• Sinus infections 

Rare, but Severe Complications: 

• Peritonsillar abscess (A pus-filled pocket behind the tonsils)

• Bloodstream infections

• Meningitis (an inflammation in the lining of the spinal cord & brain)   

• Toxic shock syndrome (release of harmful toxins in the blood that can cause organ damage and failure)

Tips to Prevent Strep Throat Spread

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of spreading strep throat:

• Take antibiotics as prescribed: Finishing the entire course can prevent transmission within a day and reduce the chances of re-infection.

• Stay home: Avoid going to school, workplace, daycare centers, or any crowded places for 24 hours of antibiotic treatment as this increases the chances of transmission.

• Practice good hygiene: Frequently wash your hands with soap and avoid touching your face.

• Cover nose & mouth while sneezing and coughing: Use your elbow or tissues to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

• Avoid contact with infected people: If you suspect someone has strep throat, stay away from them as close contact raises the transmission risk. 
  

Final Thoughts

So, how long is strep contagious? As we have learned in the article, with antibiotics, it can't spread after 24 hours, while without antibiotics, it can remain contagious for 2-3 weeks. After completing the antibiotic course (for 10 days), you will no longer spread the infection. Along with medications, you also need to consider some factors to prevent its transmission, such as frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact, and covering your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. But if any symptoms worsen or last for longer periods, see a doctor.