How Long is Strep Throat Contagious after taking Antibiotics

Strep throat is an infection of the throat region and tonsils, characterized by itchiness and soreness of the area. The name itself suggests that the causal pathogen is Streptococcus bacteria. There are several strains of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, which are capable of causing this throat condition. In healthy people, they are present in the nasal passages and throat area without causing infections. Under certain conditions, they multiply rapidly and result in strep throat symptoms. Some strains are more virulent and result in severe illnesses than others.

Strep Throat Symptoms and Treatment

A viral infection can also cause soreness of throat and scratchy feeling. But, what differentiates a bacterial throat infection from a viral infection is, the latter problem is accompanied by runny nose, nasal congestion and common cold like symptoms. In contrary to these, severe throat pain is manifested in a bacterial infection, which exacerbates within a short time. A case of infection, strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis is accompanied by high body temperature.

In addition, symptoms of strep throat include inflamed throat, red patches or white coating in throat, swallowing difficulty and swelling of lymph nodes. While strep throat is not a serious disease, mild to severe medical complications may occur in some patients. After being diagnosed with this throat infection, the common concern amongst patients is, whether strep throat is contagious or not. Well, this strep infection is contagious.

The ways for transmitting strep bacteria are direct contact with an infected person, sharing personal belongings of the patients and through patient's respiratory secretions. A strep infection improves on its own within three to five days after the symptoms appear. Nevertheless, treatment for strep throat is opted to alleviate symptoms and shorten disease duration. Since the causal organism is bacteria, it is understandable that treatment for strep throat is done by administering correct antibiotics in specific dosage.

Contagiousness of Strep Throat Post Antibiotics

Strep throat treatment proceeded with antibacterial therapy is effectual to reduce dangers of medical complications, especially, in patients who have a compromised immune system. There is no doubt in the intervention approach. But, the prime concern is, strep bacteria are still transmittable from an infected person to another even after you start antibiotic treatment.

According to health experts, strep bacteria are not transmittable after 24 hours (whole one day) from the time, when the first dose of antibiotics is taken. However, there are certain considerations to accept this disease containment rule. The first is selecting the prescribed antibiotic for strep bacteria, and second is taking the correct dosage as recommended by the doctor. Antibiotic dose will vary based on the age of the patient, medication type, patient's response to antibiotics and other aspects. In case, the two criteria are not fulfilled, there is a high chance for spreading of strep bacteria from a patient who has started antibiotic treatment to others.

Thus, to be one the safer side, a healthy individual should maintain a safe distance from the infected person, even if he/she has started an antibiotic course. If strep throat is still contagious after taking antibiotics, then what is the point of following antibacterial therapy? As aforementioned, patients affected with strep throat are no longer contagious after 24 hours from the first antibiotic dose, if correct medication in proper concentration is administered. On the other hand, strep throat is contagious for 5 days or as long as 10 days without antibiotic treatment. Precisely, antibacterial therapy of strep throat is effectual for reducing the rate of transmission, shortening length of disease episode by about 16 hours, combating symptoms and minimizing complications.