Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils. It is known to cause a sore or scratchy throat, as well as white patches on your tonsils. Show Strep throat is highly contagious during the incubation period — the two to five days after you're infected and before symptoms appear. It stays contagious until your symptoms resolve, which can take up to seven days. Here's what makes strep throat contagious and how to reduce the risk of spreading it. How do you get strep throat?Strep throat is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. This type of bacteria is commonly found in the throat and on the skin, but it doesn't necessarily cause an infection in everyone who has it, says Michael Devine, MD, an internal medicine doctor and geriatrician at Devine Concierge Medicine in Philadelphia. "When a particularly virulent or aggressive strain of the bacteria is present, it is more likely to cause infection," Devine says. "These strains can be highly contagious." Strep throat is spread through respiratory droplets, such as when an infected person sneezes or coughs. You can become infected by breathing in these droplets, or touching something with droplets on them, and then touching your nose or mouth. Devine says the most common ways you can get strep throat are:
In addition, strep throat may be contagious when you're in close contact with someone who is infected for an extended period of time. And since there's no way of knowing how close or for how long it takes to become infected, Devine says that "any contact with someone who you know has strep throat should be limited or avoided altogether." Anyone can get strep throat, but it is most common in children ages five to 15, where it accounts for 15% to 30% of all throat infections. One reason is that kids are more likely to put their hands in their mouths and are in closer contact with each other in school settings, says Nate Favini, MD, medical lead of Forward, a preventive primary care practice. SymptomsOnce you're infected with strep throat bacteria, it usually takes about two to five days to develop symptoms. According to the CDC, the signs of strep throat include:
If you suspect you have strep throat, your doctor can test for the presence of streptococcal antigens by swabbing your throat and testing the swab. Antigens are molecules that stimulate an immune response, and the presence of streptococcal antigens indicates you have strep throat. You can get the results from this test in about 10 to 15 minutes. Viruses that cause the common cold can also cause a sore throat, but other symptoms of a cold — like a cough — are not common strep throat symptoms, Favini says. If you're experiencing a cough or runny nose in addition to a sore throat, it might be due to a cold or flu virus, and not strep throat. Here's how to further differentiate your symptoms from other similar conditions, like the flu or mono: Yuqing Liu/InsiderHow long is strep contagious?Strep throat is contagious both during the incubation period and until symptoms resolve. Once you've been exposed to strep throat, it takes about two to five days to develop symptoms, and you're contagious during this time, even if you don't yet realize you're sick. If untreated, strep throat symptoms can last and be contagious for about seven days, Devine says. However, when treated with antibiotics, symptoms usually begin to improve within one to two days. It is important to finish the full course of antibiotics—even after you start feeling better, in order to fully eradicate the bacteria causing infection. To prevent contagious spread, the CDC says that people with strep throat should stay home from work or school until they no longer have a fever, and have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Learn more about how to treat strep throat with antibiotics and home remedies. How to prevent the spread of strep throatThe best way to protect yourself from getting strep throat is to avoid contact with anyone who has the infection, Favini says. Beyond that, practicing good hygiene can go a long way in keeping yourself healthy, especially in the winter and early spring when strep and other bacteria and viruses, like the flu, are circulating at higher levels than during the summer months. Here's how to reduce contagious spread with good hygiene:
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Erin Heger Erin Heger is a freelance journalist located in the Kansas City area. She primarily covers stories related to healthcare policy, maternal mental health, parenting, and personal finance. Her work been featured in The Atlantic, Rewire.News, Refinery29, HuffPost, and more. How long does strep stay on surfaces?SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: The bacterium can survive on a dry surface for 3 days to 6.5 months (22).
Does strep throat spread on surfaces?Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Can you get strep from sitting next to someone?When someone around you has a sore, scratchy throat, try to keep your distance. It might be strep throat. The bacteria that cause strep pass easily from person to person through close contact.
Can strep live on bedding?Previously it was believed that the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes would not survive long on inanimate items like furniture, toys, or dishes. But a recent study from the University of Buffalo shows that this bacteria can actually live for weeks or even months on inanimate items.
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