Strep Throat: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor

Waking up with a painfully sore throat can be unsettling, especially when it turns out to be something more than just a mild irritation. Strep throat, a bacterial infection, often strikes quickly and brings with it a set of unpleasant symptoms. Knowing what to look for and how to treat it can make a big difference in how fast you bounce back and whether you might accidentally pass it on to someone else.

What is Strep Throat?

Unlike the typical sore throat that comes with a cold, strep throat is caused by a specific type of bacteria: group A Streptococcus. This infection targets the throat and tonsils and is especially common in school-aged kids, though adults can get it too.

One of the trickiest things about strep is how suddenly it arrives. One day you’re fine, then, out of nowhere, swallowing becomes painful, your temperature shoots up, and you just feel lousy. This rapid onset is one of the telltale signs of strep throat.

Strep Throat Symptoms: What Does It Look Like?

You don’t need to be a doctor to notice when something isn’t right. Most people with strep experience a mix of the following symptoms:

• A sharp, painful sore throat, especially when swallowing
• Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
• Tonsils that appear red and swollen, sometimes dotted with white patches
• Tender, enlarged lymph nodes along the sides of the neck
• A general feeling of fatigue or achiness
• Sometimes, nausea or a drop in appetite
• Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (called petechiae)

One notable difference: strep throat usually doesn’t cause a cough or runny nose, so if you’re coughing, it might be something else.

Is Strep Throat Contagious?

Short answer: yes, very.

If you’ve been asking, “is strep throat contagious?”—the answer is absolutely. This infection is easily passed through droplets when someone sneezes, coughs, or even talks. It can also linger on things like doorknobs or utensils. That’s why it spreads so fast in places like schools or offices.

Once antibiotics are started, you’re usually not contagious after 24 hours. Without treatment, though, you could continue to spread the bacteria for up to three weeks.

What Does Strep Throat Look Like Compared to a Viral Infection?

Sometimes it’s hard to know whether your sore throat is bacterial or just part of a cold. Here’s a quick comparison:

When in doubt, a simple throat swab at your doctor’s office can clear things up fast.

Strep Throat Treatment Options

Once a positive diagnosis is made, the go-to strep throat treatment is a course of antibiotics, usually penicillin or amoxicillin. These medications help you feel better faster and prevent complications.

Other things that can help while you recover:

• Warm drinks, like tea with honey, to soothe your throat
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Rest—your body needs energy to fight the infection
• Soft, easy-to-swallow foods like soup or smoothies
• Saltwater gargles or throat lozenges to ease discomfort

How Long Does Strep Throat Last?

This is a question many ask: “how long does strep throat last?” With treatment, many people start to feel better in just a couple of days. Most symptoms ease up within 3 to 5 days, but you’ll want to finish the full course of antibiotics, usually 10 days, to prevent a relapse or further spread.

Without antibiotics, recovery can stretch out to a full week or longer, and there’s a much higher risk of serious complications like rheumatic fever or kidney issues.