Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Strep Throat?
A primary care doctor or a pediatrician (a children's doctor) usually tests for and treats strep throat. An ENT doctor, a doctor for ear, nose, and throat problems, can help if complications such as an abscess develop. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria, which are tiny germs. The germ is called group A streptococcus, or group A strep. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria.
Symptoms
It usually takes 2 to 5 days after contact with the germ to get sick. Common symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Red and swollen tonsils.
- White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils.
- Swollen lymph nodes, which are small bumps that help fight infection, in the front of the neck.
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth.
Less common symptoms, especially for children, may include headache, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, and a rash. Some strains of strep throat can lead to a rash like the one in scarlet fever. A cough, runny nose, hoarseness, or pink eye points to a virus, not strep throat.
Causes and who gets it
Group A strep bacteria cause strep throat, and they are contagious. The infection spreads by person-to-person contact with fluids from the nose or saliva. Close contact with another person who has strep throat is the most common risk factor. Strep throat is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old.
Some people are carriers, which means they have strep in their throats but the bacteria do not make them sick. You can lower your risk by washing your hands often with soap and water.
How doctors diagnose it
Many other causes of sore throat may have the same symptoms, so a provider must do a test to diagnose strep throat. A rapid strep test can be done in most provider offices. The rapid test may be negative even if strep is present. If the rapid test is negative and the provider still suspects strep, a throat swab can be cultured, which means tested to see if strep grows from it. For children older than 3 years, a negative rapid test should be followed by a throat culture.
Treatment
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, which are medicines that kill bacteria. Penicillin or amoxicillin are most often the first medicines to be tried, and certain other antibiotics may also work. A sore throat should be treated with antibiotics only if the strep test is positive. Antibiotics speed up recovery and help prevent rare but more serious problems, such as rheumatic fever. They should be taken for 10 days, even though symptoms are often gone within a few days. Always follow your doctor's instructions for taking them.
These tips may help a sore throat feel better:
- Drink warm liquids, such as lemon tea or tea with honey.
- Gargle several times a day with warm salt water.
- Try over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Young children should not be given hard candies or throat lozenges because they can choke on them. Symptoms of strep throat most often get better in about 1 week. Without treatment, strep can lead to serious complications. These include an abscess, which is a pocket of pus, around the tonsils or in the neck. They also include rheumatic fever, a disease that can affect the heart, joints, brain, and skin.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you or your child has the symptoms of strep throat. Also contact your provider if symptoms do not get better within 24 to 48 hours of starting treatment. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing.
Most people with strep can spread the infection to others until they have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. They should stay home from school, daycare, or work until they have been on antibiotics for at least a day.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can examine your throat, order a strep test, and follow up if you do not improve, and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Common questions
Is strep throat contagious?
Yes, strep throat is contagious. Most people with strep can spread the infection to others until they have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. They should stay home until they have been on antibiotics for at least a day.
How long does strep throat last?
Symptoms of strep throat most often get better in about 1 week. Antibiotics should still be taken for 10 days, even though symptoms are often gone within a few days.
How can you tell strep throat from a virus?
Only a test can tell, because many other causes of sore throat have the same symptoms. A cough, runny nose, hoarseness, or pink eye suggests a virus instead of strep throat.
Do I need to finish all the antibiotics if I feel better?
Yes, antibiotics should be taken for 10 days, even though symptoms are often gone within a few days. They are taken to speed up your recovery and to prevent rare but more serious problems, such as rheumatic fever.
Sources
- CDC - About Strep Throat
- MedlinePlus - Strep throat
- CDC - Clinical Guidance for Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
