Strep Throat: What to know

Strep Throat: What to know

Sore throats can be uncomfortable, but they usually improve with a few simple self-care steps. Low humidity, winter dryness, tobacco smoke or lack of fluids can cause sore throat. But sometimes the cause is an infection. Viral infection causes most sore throats. Less common, yet more serious, is the bacterial infection known as strep throat. Read this handout to learn common symptoms of strep throat, its diagnosis and treatment.

What are common symptoms of strep throat?

  • A sore throat.
  • A very red throat, often with white spots.
  • Enlarged, tender glands in your neck.
  • A fever of 101ºF (38ºC) or higher.

What's the chance my sore throat is strep throat?

People who get strep throat usually develop it sometime in February through April. Most people (90%) are ages 5 to 15 years. The likelihood of having strep throat is:

  • High (50 to 70%) if you have all 4 common symptoms of strep (see above) and no cough or runny nose.
  • Moderate (less than 50%) if you have 1 or 2 symptoms of strep throat and no cough.

A significant cough and runny nose greatly reduce the likelihood that strep is the cause of your sore throat. It's much more likely due to a viral infection, as with a cold.

When will I be tested for strep?

If you have cold symptoms, clinicians usually don't recommend you have a strep test. Even if you've been exposed to someone who has strep, you don't need a strep test unless you have strep symptoms.

If you do have strep symptoms, it's important to have a strep test. Without treatment, a strep infection can cause complications.

How is strep throat treated?

Negative strep test
If your test is negative for strep bacteria, you probably don't have a strep infection. Your clinician won't give you an antibiotic medication. Antibiotics are effective in treating only bacterial infections. Because colds (and most sore throats) are viral infections, no antibiotic medications will cure your sore throat or cold or decrease how long either lasts.

Positive strep test
If your test is positive, your clinician will prescribe an antibiotic medication. Many antibiotics are available that can effectively treat strep throat. Most clinicians, however, still prefer to prescribe penicillin unless you have a penicillin allergy. Taking penicillin if you're allergic to it can be dangerous.

Be sure to take all of your antibiotic medication to prevent possible complications. You'll likely begin to feel better about a day after you start taking your medication. Since it's easy to spread the strep bacteria to other people, stay home until you've taken your medication for 12 hours.

What can I do to treat my sore throat?

To soothe a bacterial or viral sore throat, clinicians recommend using the following treatments at home.

  • Gargle with warm salt water every 2 hours. Mix ¼ teaspoon of table salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. This helps decrease the irritation that's causing your throat to feel sore. Gargling with ice water also can provide some relief.
  • Suck on Popsicles or other frozen desserts. These cold foods feel good on the throat and help you get liquids. Older children and adults can also suck on throat lozenges (cough drops), hard candy or ice.
  • Drink more liquids. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Drinking small amounts frequently may help soothe your throat. Juice and water are best. Warm liquids can also soothe the back of your throat.
  • Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) for fever or aches. Don't use aspirin with children under age 18 years because it may increase their risk of Reye’s syndrome, a deadly disease that can affect all organs of the body. Adults may take aspirin.
  • Get extra rest. Rest helps your body rid itself of the virus or bacteria causing the infection.

When do I call my clinic?

Call your clinic if you experience 1 or more of the following:

  • Your sore throat continues for more than 5 to 7 days.
  • Your fever gets higher.
  • It becomes more painful to swallow.
  • Your throat still feels very sore and you still have a fever after being on antibiotic medication for 2 days.
  • You have questions about the results of your strep test.

When do I call my clinician?

Call right away if you develop:

  • Difficulty breathing.
  • A severe headache.
  • Swelling on 1 side of your throat that makes it difficult to open your mouth widely.


12403 (09/23) © 2023 HealthPartners