Strep throat is known as a contagious condition caused by streptococcal bacteria, which leads to swelling and inflammation of the tonsils and the mucous membranes in the back of your throat. Strep throat leaves you with pain and discomfort. In this case, antibiotics can be the fastest and convenient solution. However, many people think that taking antibiotics in prolonged period can cause many health problems in a long time. For this reason, today, we will discuss how long strep throat lasts without antibiotics.
Table of Contents
What Are The Causes Of Strep Throat?
Strep throat is normally caused by Group Streptococcus (GAS), a kind of bacteria commonly found in our throat and on the skin. The streptococcal infection often invades the pharyngeal tissues and causes inflammation in our throat and tonsils. School-aged children and teenagers among 5 to 15 years (15% to 40% of cases) are those who easily get strep throat. Adults also get strep throat (approximately 5% to 10% of cases). Strep throat commonly happens from late fall to early spring. During the school year, strep throat is more widespread when students are in an enclosed space.
What Are The Strep Throat Symptoms?
For those who get strep throat, after initially getting the infection, the symptoms usually occur between 1 to 4 days, from mild to severe. A sore throat starts rather suddenly. The red and swollen symptoms will appear in the tonsils as well as the back of the throat. When swallowing, you usually feel painful, and feel dehydration in the throat. Below are the common signs and symptoms of strep throat:
- Fever
- A headache
- A sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Skin rash
- Bad breath
- Abdominal pain
- Red and swollen
- Feel ill or uneasy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite loss
In infants: this group of age easily gets strep throat. They may get appetite loss and feel irritable or fussy. They may also get a low-grade fever or nasal discharge.
In children: They often experience painful swallowing and sore throat. They may also eat less and get abdominal pain.
In teenagers and older children: They often experience a severe sore throat or the high fever.
In adults: They normally have milder symptoms such as a mild sore throat. There are more severe symptoms; however, are still possible in this age.
How Long Does Strep Throat Last Without Antibiotics
When we get strep throat, the top solution to cure this condition is to use antibiotics. However, in fact, even without using antibiotics, you can still combat that bacterial infection. So, in this case, the question now is “How long does strep throat last without antibiotics?”
Strep throat can go on its own, so antibiotics are not necessary to be taken for strep throat. According to many reports, after you were in contact with people with the infected throat, the condition normally start between 2-5 days right.
In most cases, patients do not consume antibiotics; their strep throat often lasts for about a week. Then, you may be contagious up to 3 weeks. According to physicians; the right answer to the question “how long does strep throat last without antibiotics?” will depend remarkably on the immune system.
Strep throat normally lasts about one week or two weeks if your immune system works well. The robust immunity will be affected by vitamin deficiency, genetic deficiency, and genetic predisposition. On the contrary, those who have a weak immunity, the contagion of strep throat may be up to 5- 6 months if medical treatments (antibiotics) are not prescribed.
However, one thing you need to know is even when all the symptoms seem have gone away, you still get strep throat again without antibiotics. The contagion period can be from 10 to 15 days. The contagion period also depends on your immune system.
The Top 3 Soothing Strep Throat Home Remedies
In fact, although antibiotics are the top choice for this condition, we can cure strep throat some natural remedies to avoid the risk of getting some undesirable complications. Here are 16 soothing strep throat home remedies.
Honey
Honey tea has been known as a common home remedy for strep throat. According to a study, honey is more effective in curing a cough if it is taken at taming nighttime in comparison with cough suppressants. Other studies also showed that honey becomes a great wound healer because it helps to boost the healing of strep throats.
How to use:
- Mix 2-3 teaspoons of raw honey in a cup of warm green tea
- Add more one teaspoon of lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of ginger juice
- Enjoy when it is still warm
Chamomile tea
It can be naturally soothing. Chamomile tea has been used for many medicinal purposes including reducing a sore throat owing to its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties.
According to some studies, chamomile tea can help the body fight again the infection which causes a strep throat.
How to use:
- Brew a handful of chamomile tea
- Pour the tea into a cup
- Add more 2-3 teaspoons of raw honey
- Enjoy slowly when it is still warm
Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint leaves contain antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral agents. Therefore, peppermint is also a home remedy for strep throat. It contains menthol that helps thin mucus and ease coughs and sore throats.
How to use:
- Brew a handful of peppermint leaves
- Pour the tea into a cup
- Add more 2-3 teaspoons of raw honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice
- Enjoy slowly when it is still warm
Other Strep Throat Tips For Infants And Children
Strep throats in infants and young children are not easy to deal with. Still, there are some tips for sore throats in infants and children you should care about:
- Prepare cool mist or place a humidifier in your child’s room. The moisture in the air partly helps to ease the pain from sore throats.
- Encourage children to drink enough water to keep children hydrated.
- Avoid juices from citrus fruit because this can cause stomach problems in them.
- Never give raw honey to children under one year.
In conclusion, strep throat can leave you with pain, irritation, or itchiness of the throat. It also makes you get difficulty in swallowing food or liquids. So, how long does strep throat last without antibiotics? This article gives you essential information to the question. If you find this article useful, please leave a comment below.