Strep throat, also known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and soreness in the throat. It is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can cause symptoms like pain and irritation in the throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fatigue, and body aches. Strep throat usually requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications and reduce symptom duration. But can strep throat go away without antibiotics or seeing a doctor? Here is a detailed look at whether strep throat can resolve on its own.
Does Strep Throat Resolve on Its Own Without Treatment?
In some mild cases, strep throat may resolve on its own without medical treatment. One study found that around 36% of untreated strep throat infections were no longer positive for the strep bacteria after 4 days. However, there are some major risks with leaving strep throat untreated:
- Prolonged symptoms – Without antibiotics, strep throat symptoms usually last around 5-7 days, but can persist for weeks.
- Spreading infection – Without treatment, people remain contagious for 2-3 weeks and can spread strep to others.
- Complications – Untreated strep throat can lead to serious conditions like rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, abscesses, and more.
- Recurrence – There’s a risk of the strep throat returning if antibiotics are not taken.
Because of these potential risks, most experts recommend getting medical treatment for strep throat instead of waiting for it to resolve on its own.
How Long Does It Take for Strep Throat to Go Away?
With proper treatment, strep throat usually goes away within:
- 24 hours of starting antibiotics – Fever and pain should start improving.
- 3-6 days of starting antibiotics – Symptoms should resolve completely.
- 24-48 hours after finishing antibiotics – No longer contagious.
Without any treatment, strep throat can last:
- 5-7 days – Average duration of symptoms.
- 2-3 weeks – Period remains contagious to others.
Some symptoms like fatigue may persist longer. Getting treatment shortens the duration of symptoms and contagious period significantly.
Can You Spread Strep Throat Before Symptoms Appear?
Yes, people are often contagious before they show any symptoms of strep throat. Here are some key points about spreading strep before symptoms start:
- People can spread strep 1-5 days before symptoms appear.
- Children are especially likely to spread strep before feeling sick.
- People remain contagious for 2-3 weeks without antibiotics.
- Proper handwashing helps reduce spread.
- Household contacts have high risk of infection.
That’s why prompt diagnosis and treatment are important – to reduce the risk of passing strep throat on to others.
When Are You No Longer Contagious with Strep Throat?
People with strep throat are generally contagious until:
- 24 hours after starting antibiotics – Risk drops significantly.
- 24-48 hours after finishing antibiotics – No longer contagious.
Without antibiotics, strep throat can remain contagious for 2-3 weeks after symptoms start. That’s why treating strep throat with a full antibiotic course is vital to prevent ongoing spread.
Can Strep Throat Return After Antibiotics?
In most cases, a 10-day course of antibiotics will fully treat a strep throat infection. But in some cases, strep throat can return after antibiotic treatment. Reasons strep may return include:
- Not finishing the full antibiotic course – Increases recurrence risk.
- Being exposed again – Re-exposure can lead to reinfection.
- Carrying bacteria – Some people carry strep bacteria without symptoms.
- Underlying conditions – e.g. enlarged tonsils or immunodeficiency.
To reduce recurrence risk, take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and avoid close contact with infected people. See a doctor if symptoms return after treatment.
What are the Complications of Untreated Strep Throat?
Leaving strep throat untreated can lead to some serious complications and long-term effects. Potential complications include:
- Rheumatic Fever – Inflammation affecting joints, heart, brain, and skin. Can cause permanent heart damage.
- Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis – Kidney inflammation that can lead to acute kidney failure.
- Abscesses – Infected fluid pockets around tonsils that may require draining.
- Otitis Media – Middle ear infection.
- Mastoiditis – Infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear.
- Sinusitis – Infection of the sinus cavities.
- Scarlet Fever – A red, bumpy rash due to strep toxin release.
That’s why prompt antibiotic treatment is recommended whenever strep throat is suspected – to avoid complications.
Can You Treat Strep Throat Without Antibiotics?
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, so antibiotics are the standard recommended treatment. Treating without antibiotics is not generally advised due to complications risks. But some options may help manage symptoms while the infection runs its course:
- Throat lozenges – Can temporarily numb throat pain.
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen – To reduce fever and pain.
- Saltwater gargle – Can soothe an irritated throat.
- Rest and fluids – Allows the body to focus energy on fighting infection.
- Honey – Has mild antibacterial properties that may help.
However, these home remedies cannot cure the underlying strep infection – antibiotics remain the safest medical recommendation. See a doctor if symptoms persist beyond a few days.
When to See a Doctor for Strep Throat
It’s advisable to see a doctor if you or your child have signs of strep throat, including:
- Sore throat lasting over 48 hours
- Painful swallowing
- Fever over 101 F (38.3 C)
- Swollen red tonsils with white patches
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Headache, nausea, stomach pain
Seeking prompt medical treatment provides the following benefits:
- Confirm diagnosis through a rapid strep test or throat culture
- Prescribe appropriate antibiotics to treat infection
- Reduce duration of symptoms
- Lower complications risk
- Prevent spread to others
Doctors may recommend certain antibiotic types like penicillin or amoxicillin for 10 days. Make sure to finish the full course as prescribed.
How to Prevent Spreading Strep Throat to Others
You can take these precautions to avoid passing strep throat to family, friends, and community:
- See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear
- Take the full antibiotic course as prescribed
- Stay home from work, school, or childcare until no longer contagious
- Avoid close contact with others until 24-48 hrs after antibiotics
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing frequently
- Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, and other personal items
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces
Prompt treatment and limiting contact until no longer contagious are the most effective ways to prevent spreading infection.
Conclusion
Strep throat can sometimes resolve without medical treatment, but has risks like prolonged symptoms, recurrent infection, and serious complications. Seeing a doctor quickly for proper diagnosis and antibiotics is strongly recommended for strep throat. This provides the fastest symptom relief, lowers transmission risk, prevents complications, and reduces chances of the infection returning. While home remedies can temporarily manage discomfort, antibiotics continue to be the safest medical advice for dealing with strep throat.