What happens if strep throat is not treated

While it takes more time, a throat culture sometimes finds infections that the rapid strep test misses. Culture is important to use in children and teens since they can get rheumatic fever from an untreated strep throat infection. For adults, it is usually not necessary to do a throat culture following a negative rapid strep test. Adults are generally not at risk of getting rheumatic fever following a strep throat infection.

Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours. Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics. Either penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended as a first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin. Doctors can use other antibiotics to treat strep throat in people who are allergic to penicillin.

They are less likely to spread the bacteria to others and very unlikely to get complications. If a carrier gets a sore throat illness caused by a virus, the rapid strep test can be positive. In these cases it can be hard to know what is causing the sore throat. If someone keeps getting a sore throat after taking the right antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier and have a viral throat infection. Talk to a doctor if you think you or your child may be a strep carrier.

Complications can occur after a strep throat infection. This can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Complications can include:. People can get strep throat more than once. Having strep throat does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent strep throat, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.

The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before preparing foods or eating. To practice good hygiene, you should:. You should also wash glasses, utensils, and plates after someone who is sick uses them.

These items are safe for others to use once washed. Take the prescription exactly as the doctor says to. Infection can spread to the: Middle ear otitis media. Sinuses sinusitis. Other, more rare, complications include: Infection behind the pharynx retropharyngeal abscess. Infection of the lymph nodes of the neck. A peritonsillar abscess. Toxic shock syndrome. Complications related to the body's immune response to strep bacteria Sometimes in response to a strep infection, the body's immune system will attack healthy tissues, causing complications such as rheumatic fever , inflammation of the kidneys glomerulonephritis , or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections PANDAS.

In rare cases, untreated strep may progress to rheumatic fever. Antibiotic therapy begun as late as 9 days after the start of a strep infection will prevent rheumatic fever. Glomerulonephritis may occur after infection with certain strains of strep bacteria.

These infections may include a strep infection of the skin such as impetigo , usually during the summer months, or the throat such as strep throat , usually during the winter months.

The condition is relatively rare and goes away without treatment. But some complications may require treatment. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat infection Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Strep throat infection Strep throat usually causes throat pain and difficulty swallowing. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Strep throat: All you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Dec. Pichichero ME. Complications of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis.