Is Strep Throat Contagious?

Strep throat is usually passed along by tiny droplets in the air that contain the strep bacteria. You can get it by being close to someone who coughs, sneezes or is just standing or sitting close to you—and breathing!

Photo courtesy of madaise

Sometimes the strep throat bacteria is given to someone else by a food handler. This can happen if someone (cook, waitress, etc.) accidentally contaminates your food by coughing or sneezing.

Is strep throat contagious? Well, usually, if someone in a household gets strep, one out of every four household members will get sick. Symptoms of strep throat will appear in a few days. The Strep throat incubation period is 2 to 5 days.

How do you prevent strep throat?

If you are sick, use tissues to wipe your nose and throw them away.
Photo courtesy of soopahgrover

Here are some other things that you can do to prevent getting sick:

• Don't drink from the same glass or can of soda.

• Don't share the same eating utensils. Wash everything thoroughly between uses.

• Don't share toothbrushes. In fact, if you get strep throat, throw out your toothbrush, so you don't recontaminate yourself.

• Just like you would do to prevent getting swine flu , wash your hands often. Make sure you know how to wash hands the right way. Bacteria can live for awhile on surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, toilets, faucets, etc.

• If you are the person with strep throat, use tissues to wipe your nose, and throw them away as soon as you use them. Don't use handkerchiefs, as they will become contaminated quickly and easily spread your germs.

• Antibiotics used for strep throat treatment can shorten the time that you are contagious.

• If you are treated with antibiotics, stay home from school or work for 24 hours, after you start taking the medicine.

So, is strep throat contagious? The answer is, of course, yes. It is easily spread from person to person, through the air. So just being in the same room with someone who has strep throat, can expose you to the bacteria.

While there is no guarantee that you won't get sick from someone with strept throat, taking precautions will lessen your chances of becoming ill.

Keep in mind that, if it would give you peace of mind, you can consult with a live doctor and get personal doctors online advice , usually within just a few minutes of asking your question.

Return to Virus Information

Swine Flu Symptoms

Untreated Strep Throat

Treatment for Strep Throat

Home Remedies for Strep Throat

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