Strep throat is a highly-contagious bacterial infection that affects your throat and tonsils. If you have been diagnosed with strep throat, you may be asking this question:
How long is strep throat contagious?
If you have already started antibiotic treatment, the answer to your question is simple: not very long. If you think you have strep throat but have not been diagnosed, it is important to see a doctor. Don’t wait until the last minute to find out if you have strep throat. FastMed Urgent Care offers rapid strep throat testing. Our goal is to have you in, out, and treated within an hour.
Wondering How Long Is Strep Throat Contagious? FastMed Urgent Care Has the Answer
There are multiple reasons you could have a sore throat, and some are more common than others. If strep throat is the culprit, it is highly contagious, and you could pass it on to others. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might have strep throat and should see a doctor to find out:
- Painful swallowing
- Severe sore throat
- Fever over 101 °F (38.3 °C).
- Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes
- White or yellow spots on your throat or tonsils
Your doctor will likely perform a rapid strep test to determine whether or not you have strep throat. If you do, you will typically be prescribed antibiotics and should start taking them as soon as possible.
So, how long is strep throat contagious? Once you have taken your antibiotics as directed for 48 hours, you won’t have to worry about anyone catching strep throat from you.
If you think you may be infected–and are asking, “How long is strep throat contagious?–don’t hesitate to visit your local FastMed Urgent Care. Our clinics are open 365 days a year, and our rapid strep test can have your results in as few as 10 minutes!