Strep throat symptoms which antibiotics are used

The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it. Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics You try home treatment for your sore throat. You can: Gargle with salt water. Take over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, it will likely go away on its own in 4 to 5 days. If you have strep throat, which is caused by bacteria, it will likely go away on its own in 3 to 7 days.

You save money on medicine. You don't have the side effects from antibiotics. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, there are no risks or side effects of not taking antibiotics. If your sore throat is caused by bacteria: You may be sick a day or so longer than if you do take antibiotics. You have a higher risk of the infection spreading to other parts of your body, such as your ears or sinuses.

You could make other people around you sick if you are still contagious. Personal stories about taking antibiotics for sore throat These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you? Reasons to take antibiotics for a sore throat Reasons not to take antibiotics for a sore throat.

I'm not worried about the risk of taking antibiotics too often. I'm worried about the risks of taking antibiotics too often. I've had a sore throat for just a few days. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts. Yes You're right. No Sorry, that's not right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts.

Yes Sorry, that's not right. No You're right. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others. I want to learn more about my options.

Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices.

What matters to you. Print Summary. Credits Credits. Get the facts Compare your options What matters most to you? Get the Facts Your options Take antibiotics for a sore throat caused by a bacterial infection.

Compare your options Take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics What is usually involved? You take an antibiotic, usually penicillin, for as long as your doctor prescribes. You try home treatment for your sore throat.

Check the facts 1. Do most sore throats go away on their own? If your doctor diagnoses you or your child with strep throat, your doctor will likely prescribe an oral antibiotic. If taken within 48 hours of the onset of the illness, antibiotics reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, as well as the risk of complications and the likelihood that infection will spread to others.

With treatment, you or your child should start feeling better in a day or two. Call your doctor if there's no improvement after taking antibiotics for 48 hours. Children taking an antibiotic who feel well and don't have a fever often can return to school or child care when they're no longer contagious — usually 24 hours after beginning treatment.

But be sure to finish all the medicine. Stopping early can lead to recurrences and serious complications, such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. To relieve throat pain and reduce fever, try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others or acetaminophen Tylenol, others.

Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. In most cases, antibiotics will quickly wipe out the bacteria causing the infection. In the meantime, try these tips to relieve symptoms of strep throat:.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. The most common symptoms of strep throat include: Sore throat that can start very quickly Pain when swallowing Fever Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus Tiny, red spots petechiae — pronounced pi-TEE-kee-eye on the roof of the mouth the soft or hard palate Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck Other symptoms may include a headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting — especially in children.

The following symptoms suggest a virus is the cause of the illness instead of strep throat: Cough Runny nose Hoarseness changes in your voice that makes it sound breathy, raspy, or strained Conjunctivitis also called pink eye It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to become ill. Children and Certain Adults Are at Increased Risk Anyone can get strep throat, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this common infection.

Adults who are at increased risk for strep throat include: Parents of school-aged children Adults who are often in contact with children Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor for illness.

These settings include: Schools Daycare centers Military training facilities. Strep Throat: More Common in Children. Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat About 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep throat. Top of Page. Protect Yourself and Others People can get strep throat more than once.

Wash your hands often to help prevent germs from spreading. Antibiotics Help Prevent Spreading the Infection to Others People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they: No longer have a fever AND Have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours Take the prescription exactly as the doctor says to. Related Pages. Related Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Please see your doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning. Follow up with a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days, get worse, or if you or your child have recurrent sore throats.

A doctor will determine what type of illness you have by asking about symptoms and doing a physical examination. Sometimes they will also swab your throat. More about rheumatic fever. Since bacteria cause strep throat, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and prevent rheumatic fever and other complications.

A doctor cannot tell if someone has strep throat just by looking in the throat. If your doctor thinks you might have strep throat, they can do a test to determine if it is the cause of your illness. Anyone with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they no longer have fever AND have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours. If a sore throat is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. Most sore throats will get better on their own within one week.

Your doctor may prescribe other medicine or give you tips to help you feel better. More about antibiotic-resistant infections C. Side effects can range from minor issues, like a rash, to very serious health problems, such as antibiotic-resistant infections and C. Be careful about giving over-the-counter medicines to children.