Before we learn about how long strep throat lasts, let’s first see what strep throat is? Strep throat is a bacterial infection and it can cause severe pain in the throat area.
Why is it called a strep? This actually refers to the cause of strep throat, where strep throat is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
This disease usually comes on suddenly and is of course very annoying and not fun at all, difficult to calm down. That is why, many people wonder how long a strep throat lasts. The discomfort from this throat problem causes many people to wonder whether strep throat lasts long or not.
To answer this question is actually very difficult, because whether or not a person has a strep throat for a long time depends on many factors. So, there are quite a lot of factors that determine how quickly a person recovers, including age, your health condition, and how quickly you get help from this problem.
All right, here we will explain to you and at the same time answer your question about how long strep throat lasts. We will also mention the causes and how the cause of strep throat differs from other sore throat symptoms.
We will also explain to you how to treat and treat strep throat and when you should talk to your doctor. Keep watching until the end of this article.
How Long Does Strep Throat Last?
Strep throat usually occurs suddenly without warning.
When or if you have a strep throat and a severe fever. So don’t keep yourself on a soft bed but immediately contact your doctor to find out what disease you are experiencing and then find out how to treat it.
If taking antibiotics then preferably for the first 48 hours, this will work well in reducing pain. But you have to do a diagnosis first and know that your disease is really strep throat.
Strep throat will usually heal on its own in 7 to 10 days. While the symptoms will be severe on days 2 to 3, and then on day 4 and so on they will usually start to improve.
Is Strep Throat Contagious?
That’s right, strep throat is a disease known as streptococcal pharyngitis, this is very contagious, so be careful when you have to interact with those who are infected.
How is it transmitted?
Strep throat can be transmitted through food that has been touched by people who have the disease, or through tools and objects used by sufferers.
Transmission can also occur through sweat, sneezing or saliva.
Likewise if you touch the nose, mouth or eyes of a person with strep throat. If you have ever done this, then immediately clean your hands with cleansing soap.
How long is strep throat contagious?
If you have contracted strep throat, this will not appear immediately but it takes about 2 to 5 days, then you will see symptoms.
The period when a person has been infected and has not shown any symptoms is called the incubation period. So, the incubation period for strep throat is two to five days.
During this incubation period, those of you who are already infected and have not shown signs or symptoms, you can also infect other people.
It is considered that a new patient cannot transmit strep throat to others if he does not experience another fever for 24 hours or until he takes antibiotics for a full day.
Recovery Period
Usually, symptoms of strep throat begin to improve after about 3-4 days of pain. But if you find that the symptoms are getting worse after 3 days of experiencing pain, or you don’t experience any improvement after 7 or 10 days, then you should pay serious attention and see a doctor.
Usually, strep throat starts to improve after 10 days of experiencing pain, and it actually feels better without any lingering symptoms.
There are also those who experience fast healing, if this happens, you should still take the medicine that has been prescribed by the doctor, unless the doctor says you don’t need to take medicine anymore.
Stopping treatment too soon can lead to a more serious infection and may make treatment less effective. So, if you are taking a doctor’s treatment, do it correctly and according to the doctor’s directions, if various things happen while taking prescription drugs, consult your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
Among the symptoms experienced by people with strep throat are:
- Severe pain in the throat and comes on suddenly
- Have a fever of at least 101ºF
- Small red spots on the roof of the mouth or the back of the throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen red tonsils with white patches and pus
- aches
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Abdominal pain or nausea, this occurs in children.
Strep Throat vs. Sore Throat
Strep throat is caused by various things, it comes quickly and together with fever.
Sore throat that comes gradually, accompanied by coughing, hoarseness, runny nose, and is usually caused by a virus
The doctor will do a quick inflammation test, this is to determine whether you have strep throat or not.
It is important to take antibiotics since in general sore throats are caused by viruses, taking antibiotics only needs to be done if you are really diagnosed with strep throat.
If the diagnosis is negative or there is no certainty, the doctor can check a throat culture to find out what type of bacteria is infecting it.
Strep throat often occurs in children aged 5 – 15, but it is not limited by age and anyone can catch it.
Strep throat is caused by a virus and it can infect anyone.
In children under 3 years of age, strep throat is highly unlikely. So the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend examining inflammation in children and does not recommend treating strep throat in children under 3 years of age.
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Treatments for Strep Throat
As we know that strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria and is usually treated with antibiotics to prevent complications.
There are three types of antibiotics that doctors often prescribe to treat strep throat, including:
- Penicillin: Doses range from 250 mg twice daily to 500 mg twice daily and depend on age. Usually healing with penicillin lasts 10 days.
- Amoxicillin: The dosage for children is according to their body weight and can be prescribed 2 to 3 times a day. While the standard dose for adults is 500 mg consumed 2 times a day for up to 10 days. Or use a dose of 1000mg and taken once a day for 10 days.
- Cephalexin: This is an alternative for those who are allergic to penicillin. The dosage also depends on body weight for children and can be taken 2-4 times a day. The standard adult dose is 500mg to be taken twice daily for 10 days.
When to See a Doctor
If you suddenly experience a sore throat and are worried about what you are suffering from, then you can immediately consult a doctor.
Strep throat can actually go away on its own, but taking antibiotics is meant to ease the symptoms, and this should relieve some of the pain after 3 days of use.
The use of antibiotics can also prevent serious complications.
If you have difficulty swallowing due to pain in the throat, difficulty speaking, even breathing, then you must call for emergency medical care.
