Strep Throat (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Strep Throat Overview
- Strep Throat Causes
- Strep Throat Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Strep Throat Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Anatomy of a Sore Throat - Slideshow

- Viewer Comments: Strep Throat - Length Symptoms Lasted
Medications
After the diagnosis of strep throat is confirmed, the doctor usually prescribes an antibiotic such as penicillin to be taken for 10 days. For someone who is allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics such as erythromycin are prescribed.
- Treatment also includes taking over-the-counter pain medications to relieve discomfort and rest. (Never give aspirin to children.)
- After starting the medication, the fever usually improves in 24 hours. By the second or third day, other symptoms start to subside.
- It is very important to take the complete prescription of antibiotics, however, even if you start to feel better. If the antibiotic is stopped too soon and all the bacteria are not killed, symptoms may return. Either no treatment or incomplete treatment increases the risk of complications.
Next: Next Steps »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Strep Throat - Length Symptoms Lasted
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
How long did the symptoms of your strep throat last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
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