Strep throat usually lasts 3 to 7 days, and treatment makes a big difference. Without antibiotics, symptoms can drag on a week or more and raise the risk of complications. With antibiotics, most people feel much better within 24 to 48 hours and are no longer contagious after about a day on the medication.

A sore throat can signal any of the three, and the surrounding symptoms help tell them apart. A cold usually adds sneezing and a runny nose, tonsillitis brings swollen red tonsils and lymph nodes, and strep comes on suddenly with painful swallowing and white spots. A quick test is the surest way to know.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection common in both adults and children, and symptoms tend to come on suddenly. It's more than a scratchy throat, and left untreated it can lead to serious problems like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. The good news is that testing and treatment can both happen in one visit.

Strep throat may eventually go away without treatment, but leaving it untreated is not recommended. While the symptoms might improve over time, untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications, such as rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, or the spread of the infection to other parts of the body.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection from Group A Streptococcus, spread through respiratory droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks, or by touching contaminated surfaces. It spreads easily in schools and households and is most contagious in the first day or two. A quick swab confirms it.

Strep usually hits fast: a sharp sore throat, painful swallowing, fever over 101F, swollen tonsils (sometimes with white spots), and tender neck glands. Unlike a cold, there's usually no cough or runny nose. A quick swab confirms it. Walk into any AllCare clinic for same-day testing.

Strep is treated with antibiotics to clear the bacteria and prevent complications, so finish the full course even once you feel better. Salt-water gargles, warm fluids, and rest ease symptoms in the meantime. Walk into any AllCare clinic for a quick swab and same-day treatment.

If a person with strep throat coughs, laughs, or sneezes, they release droplets into the air. If you inhale these droplets, you can become infected. Additionally, if you touch something with strep bacteria on it, then touch your mouth or nose, share plates, glasses, or other eating utensils with an infected person, you can get strep throat.