What happens if you don't treat strep throat?

If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever.

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What happens if strep throat is untreated?

Caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat is an infection that requires prompt treatment, particularly in children over the age of 3. Left untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause stroke and permanent damage to the heart.

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How long can strep throat go untreated?

A. Strep throat typically resolves in three to five days if untreated. Despite the short duration, antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications. Symptoms typically resolve within one to three days following the start of antibiotics.

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Can strep throat go away on its own?

Strep throat typically goes away in three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if you don't take antibiotics, you can remain contagious for two to three weeks and are at a higher risk for complications, such as rheumatic fever.

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Is it OK to not take antibiotics for strep throat?

Not everyone needs antibiotics

Someone who tests positive for strep throat but has no symptoms (called a “carrier”) usually does not need antibiotics. They are less likely to spread the bacteria to others and very unlikely to get complications.

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Sore Throat or Strep? When to Go to the Doctor

25 related questions found

What kills streptococcus bacteria naturally?

Apple Cider Vinegar with Honey and Cinnamon – ACV helps kill streptococcus bacteria in the throat that causes strep infections while honey soothes sore throats.

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Can adults fight off strep throat?

Strep throat — Although strep throat typically resolves on its own within two to five days, treatment with antibiotics is recommended for adults whose rapid test or throat culture is positive for strep throat. Penicillin, or an antibiotic related to penicillin, is the treatment of choice for strep throat.

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How can I test for strep throat at home?

Rapid strep test kits are available over the counter at drugstores and do not require a doctor's prescription. These tests are quick and easy to use, giving you results in as little as five minutes. It works just like a rapid test that doctors perform.

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How can you tell the difference between strep throat and tonsillitis?

Strep throat, which is an infection due to streptococcus bacteria, is another cause of sore throats and tonsillitis. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation or infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat.

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When should I be concerned about strep A?

Parents and carers are advised to call 999 or go to A&E if your child is showing signs of bloodstream infection (invasive Group A Streptococcus) which include noisy breathing or difficulty breathing, pauses in your child's breathing, your child's skin, tongue or lips are blue and/or your child is floppy, drowsy and or ...

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How does strep throat make you feel?

If you have strep throat, your throat and tonsils may appear red, sore and swollen. You may also have white patches, spots or streaks of pus on your throat and tonsils. In addition, you may develop tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae.

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What's the longest strep throat can last?

Strep throat typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Typically, strep throat can last for 7- 10 days. Strep throat symptoms improve between the third and fourth day. Consult your physician if your symptoms worsen after three days or if they do not improve after 7–10 days.

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Can strep throat become bad?

Untreated strep can harm the body. If the body overreacts to the bacteria, it can lead to a disease called rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can cause painful and swollen joints, a specific type of rash, kidney damage, or harm the heart. Start antibiotic medicine as soon as possible to prevent harm to the body.

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Is strep throat always serious?

Most strep A infections are mild and easily treated, but some are more serious.

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Do I need to worry about strep throat?

Invasive group A strep infections are severe and can cause diseases like pneumonia, sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, and a serious skin and tissue infection called necrotizing fasciitis. Longer term complications of strep throat include heart valve issues and kidney issues.

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Can strep throat be diagnosed visually?

Important prevention tips

Strep can't be diagnosed simply by looking at your throat. To detect the presence of the bacteria, your healthcare provider must do a strep test with a throat swab. The traditional test for strep throat is a throat culture, which takes two to three days for results.

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What hurts more strep throat or tonsillitis?

Although they have similar symptoms, tonsillitis may be milder than strep throat.

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How contagious is strep throat?

Yes, strep throat is contagious. The illness can spread quickly from person to person in households, classrooms, day care facilities, military training camps and other settings where groups of people are close to one another, particularly where children are present.

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How do doctors tell if you have strep throat?

Your doctor may perform a rapid antigen test on a swab sample from your throat. This test can detect strep bacteria in minutes by looking for substances (antigens) in the throat. If the test is negative but your doctor still suspects strep, he or she might do a throat culture.

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Can a doctor tell if you have strep without a test?

“No doctor or parent can tell whether a child has strep just by looking at the throat,” she emphasizes. Even when a doctor strongly suspects that an infection is strep throat, a throat swab is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

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What foods should you avoid with strep throat?

Generally speaking, avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods as they can all increase irritation. You should also avoid crunchy or hard textured foods like dry toast or cereals, as they can scratch your already delicate throat.

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Why do adults rarely get strep throat?

Repeated exposure to strep A, with or without symptoms, seems to help build immunity and probably explains why adults get strep less often than kids do, Dale says.

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Why is it so hard to get rid of strep throat?

So why does recurring strep throat happen? Antibiotic Resistance – Some forms of strep throat are resistant to the antibiotic that has been prescribed. Penicillin and cephalexin are the go-to strep throat antibiotics in the case of strep. If these don't knock the bacteria out, your doctor will go a different route.

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Does strep make you tired?

The most common symptoms of strep throat include:

Swollen, red tonsils (the tonsils may also have white patches) Sore swollen glands (lymph nodes in your neck) Headache. Fatigue (feeling very tired)

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Does strep throat cause coughing?

Symptoms of Strep Throat Infection

Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are not seen with Strep throat. These symptoms point more to a viral cause.

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