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Strep Throat Treatment Overview

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Care Plan

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First steps to consider

  • See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of strep throat, including pain when swallowing and a fever or white patches in your throat.
  • OTC pain relievers can help relieve symptoms like fever, throat pain, headaches, and body aches.
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Emergency Care

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Call 911 or go to the ER if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty opening your mouth all the way
  • Difficulty swallowing saliva
  • Trouble breathing

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All treatments for strep throat
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When to see a healthcare provider

If you think you have strep throat, you should always be seen by a healthcare provider. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics.

The sooner you schedule a visit, the better: If you start an antibiotic within 2 days of the start of the infection, it can reduce the severity and length of symptoms and lower your risk of developing complications like rheumatic fever and inflammation of the kidneys. It also lowers the likelihood of spreading the infection to others.

Try to get an appointment with your healthcare provider within 24 hours or visit an urgent care center.

Getting diagnosed

Doctors diagnose strep throat by looking at your throat, doing an in-office rapid strep test, or by taking a throat culture (they swab your throat).

What to expect from your visit

  • A doctor will do a physical exam, look for signs of strep throat, and may test you for strep.
  • If tests confirm that you have strep throat, your doctor will typically prescribe an oral antibiotic.

Once you start taking antibiotics, you often will begin to feel better in a day or two. If not, call your doctor. Be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics. If you stop taking them when you start feeling better, the infection may come back or cause complications.

What antibiotics treat strep throat?

Types of providers

  • A primary care provider can treat strep throat.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions