Is Strep Throat Contagious

Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Although this infection is most commonly seen in children and teenagers, people of any age group can be affected by it. Strep throat infection generally lasts for a week. Many people get confused between sore throat and strep throat. A primary difference between the two is that sore throat is caused by virus whereas strep throat is a bacterial infection. Read more on strep throat.

Strep Throat Symptoms

Red throat or red spots on the back of the throat are the prominent symptoms of strep throat. Apart from these, the other strep throat symptoms that are observed include difficulty in swallowing, nausea, fever, etc. As these symptoms are similar to that of sore throat, one must immediately consult a doctor to know the exact cause of these symptoms. Strep throat in adults is usually seen in people having a weak immune system. Read more on strep throat in adults and strep throat symptoms and treatment.

Is Strep Throat Contagious?

Is strep throat contagious? This is a major concern of many people. Let us know more about it. The answer is, yes, strep throat is contagious, i.e. it can spread from person to person. Coming in contact with an infected person, shaking hands with him or even using his personal items can cause strep throat to spread. Strep throat incubation period varies from person to person. Normally it lasts for 3 days, but sometimes, it can also go up to 5 days.

People wonder about strep throat contagious period or in other words, strep throat contagious for how long? Strep throat is contagious as long as one does not take antibiotics. Although the strep throat contagious period is long, once the infected person takes antibiotics, strep throat stops being contagious within 24 hours. If a person suffering from strep throat fails to get it diagnosed and does not get immediately treated, the disease can remain contagious for days together, sometimes even for 2-3 weeks. Leaving the symptoms untreated can lead to other serious complications. Therefore, it is extremely essential to consult the doctor and get the disease diagnosed and treated.

Antibiotics for Strep Throat

Antibiotics shorten the time of spread of the disease. Penicillin is universally prescribed by doctors for strep throat but if the patient is allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics, like, cephalexin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, etc. are given to the patient. Although antibiotics are effective in treating and preventing strep throat from spreading, sometimes people experience side-effects of antibiotics, like, skin rash or diarrhea. Such people can go in for home remedies for strep throat. Read more on antibiotics for strep throat and home remedies for strep throat.

Prevention of Strep Throat

One can follow some simple preventive methods to avoid strep throat. The most important of all is to have a balanced diet to strengthen the immunity of the body. One must wash one's hands with soaps or sanitizers, especially if one is in contact with people suffering from cough and other contagious diseases. One should also completely avoid using other people's personal things, like, clothes, towels, toothbrush, etc.

The answer to your query, is strep throat contagious, is definitely positive. Therefore, if you observe the aforementioned symptoms, you must immediately visit the doctor and prevent spreading the disease.