How Long Is Strep Contagious?

Strep throat is typically contagious for about 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Before treatment, it can be contagious as long as symptoms are present, and sometimes even longer. Without antibiotics, people with strep throat can remain contagious for up to two to three weeks.

To reduce the spread, it’s best to avoid close contact with others until you’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours, and to practice good hygiene, like hand-washing and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus. It primarily affects the throat and tonsils, causing symptoms like sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils, and sometimes white patches or streaks of pus in the throat. It can also lead to swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and body aches.

Strep throat is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or sharing food and drinks. Although it can affect anyone, children between 5 and 15 are particularly susceptible. Diagnosis typically involves a rapid strep test or throat culture, and treatment generally includes antibiotics to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, and minimize contagion.

How to prevent strep throat?

To prevent strep throat, follow these key practices:

1. Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, or being in public spaces. Hand sanitizer can help if soap and water aren’t available.
2. Avoid Close Contact: Strep spreads through respiratory droplets, so try to avoid close contact with anyone who has strep throat or similar symptoms, like sore throat and fever.
3. Don’t Share Personal Items: Avoid sharing utensils, drinking glasses, or food with others, as this can spread bacteria.
4. Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and encourage others around you to do the same.
5. Clean Common Surfaces: Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and electronic devices, especially if someone in the household is sick.
6. Strengthen Your Immune System: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and hydration, which all contribute to a stronger immune response against infections like strep.
7. Stay Home if You’re Sick: If you or someone in your household has strep, staying home from work or school until antibiotics have been taken for at least 24 hours can help prevent spreading it to others.

These preventive steps are especially helpful during colder months when respiratory infections are more common.