What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a contagious infection of the throat — this means that you can get sick if you are near someone who has it. It's common in children aged 3 to 13 years.

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

The symptoms of strep throat infection last around 7 days. They may include:

• sore, red throat and tonsils
• pain with swallowing
• white or yellow spots at the back of your throat
• fever
• fatigue (tiredness)
• swollen, tender lymph nodes ('glands') in your neck
• loss of appetite

What causes strep throat?

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called streptococcus pyogenes or Group A streptococcus (GAS). You can catch strep throat through contact with droplets, which spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have symptoms of strep throat, visit your doctor. They can:

• diagnose your condition
• provide treatment
• help you manage symptoms

See your doctor if you or your child has symptoms or complications.

How is strep throat diagnosed?

To diagnose strep throat, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your throat. They may take a sample from your throat. This involves rubbing a cotton swab against the back of your throat. The sample will be tested for bacteria in a lab.

To help diagnose some complications that strep throat might cause, your doctor may also arrange a blood test.

How is strep throat treated?

Treatment for strep throat may include self-care at home, medicines or both — it depends on your risk of complications and how bad your symptoms are.

Self-care at home

If you have strep throat, there are things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms.

Make sure you drink enough fluids, such as water or soup. If eating hurts your throat, don't force yourself to eat solid food. When you are able to eat, choose soft, healthy food.

You can also:

• gargle with salt water
• suck on lozenges or ice cubes
• avoid talking to rest your voice
• put warm packs or compresses on your neck
• avoid smoking and breathing second-hand smoke

If you have a fever, rest until the fever is gone.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and relieve pain.

Medicines for strep throat

If you have severe strep throat symptoms or a high chance of complications, your doctor may give you antibiotics. If you take antibiotics, you'll usually stop being contagious after about 24 hours.

If you can manage your symptoms and you are not at high risk of complications, you will not need antibiotics.

If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, you may need to take the treatment for 5 to 10 days.

It's important to take your prescribed medicine and follow your doctor's instructions, even after your symptoms go away. This helps to prevent the infection from coming back.

What are the complications of strep throat?

If it's not treated, strep throat can lead to complications including:

• scarlet fever
• rheumatic fever, which can lead to rheumatic heart disease
• an abscess next to your tonsils
• kidney problems

Look out for symptoms such as:

• a rash
• chills
• vomiting
• pain in your arms and legs
• shortness of breath or chest pain
• pale or blue lips
• ongoing fever

You are more likely to have complications of strep throat if you are:

• aged 5 to 20 years old
• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• living or travelling in an area with a high rate of rheumatic fever
• living in an overcrowded home

Can strep throat be prevented?

The following suggestions may help you prevent the spread of your strep infection to others:

• Avoid contact with other people until you have been taking treatment for at least 24 hours, or until you feel well.
• Wash your hands before you touch food or drink.
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze, throw them away in a bin with a lid and wash your hands afterwards.
• Do not share food or cutlery with others.
• Do not prepare food for others if you have strep throat.

People with strep throat should not go to child care, preschool, school or work until their doctor tells them that they are no longer contagious.

Resources and support

Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.

For support when you're pregnant or if your baby or child has symptoms of strep throat, speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available from 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

Languages other than English

The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service has information on hand hygiene in many community languages.

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has information on pain medicine in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Watch the No Germs on Me video on hand washing.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate near you.