Question 1

can you catch strep throat from someone if they don't have a fever yet? it was caught early & the fever hadn't developed yet.  is it still contagious?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You can have strep without fever; someone with strep is contagious for about a day before symptoms start until 24-36 hours after appropriate antibiotics are started.

Question 2

i have strep throat.  i dont have a bad case of it and no fever. do i have to get on meds to get better? how long will i be contagious with no meds?

Accepted Answer

Depends: There are some people who carry strep A year round and never get fever or throat pain. They are contagious year round, as is anyone who has it and remains untreated. If you did not have it confirmed with an office test or culture, your throat irritation could be viral &amp; will last as long as it chooses. You would be contagious with that too.

Question 3

i am a cosmetology master instructor,  i have a student w strep throat  31 yrs old her 3rd time with strep throat, fever.  how long is she contageous?

Accepted Answer

She may not be.: Recurrent strep infections can mean the patient is colonized with the bacteria in her throat. You may not be at risk...But good hand washing and wearing gloves can be helpful to avoid infection yourself. If you smoke, stop and she could cover her face with a mask while working. Hope that helps.

Question 4

if you don't have a fever does that mean it's not strep throat?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Although fever is common with strep throat, it is not proof that you don't have it. If the sore throat is fairly painful, and especially if you don't feel well otherwise--headache, aches and pains etc.--it is still possible. Strep doesn't usually come with a lot of cold symptoms like runny nose and congested cough. Only way to be sure is to get checked, possibly with a test for strep.

Question 5

does strep throat cause a rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Yes it can: Strep throat is due to infection with streptococcus pyogenes. It is easily treated with antibiotics, but if let untreated it can induce an immune reaction that can lead to Rheumatic Fever and Gloerulonephritis.  It is easily diagnosed with a swab in minutes and treated with antibiotics so these diseases are rare now.

Question 6

how do i know if my strep throat has given me rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

+strep, fever, and..: There are so called criteria to make diagnosis of such. At least you must have several of the things here such as: fever, multiple joint pain, rash (erythema marginatum), sydenham's chorea (st. Vitus' dance), heart inflammation, ekg changes, high white blood cell count etc...If u have concerns/symptoms, consult doc. Good luck.

Question 7

could my 10 month old possibly have strep throat if his fever went away?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The only way to be certain a patient does or does not have strep throat is to do a culture with a good specimen. These take several days to come back. Rapid tests in the office test for only one strain but the one that usually causes strep throat and they are very accurate. In such a young child you would need objective evidence to make that determination with certainty.

Question 8

is it possible to have strep throat with only minor symptoms & develop rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Although Rheumatic fever is thought to be very rare in the US, it does occur and can occur after an untreated mild strep infection.  The risk for rheumatic fever is greater in younger children and teens and tends to go down as you reach adulthood.

Question 9

is strep throat usually accompanied by a fever?  what about bronchitis? and does bronchitis usually  resolve on its own?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Strep throat is typically associated with a fever, but not always.  The good news is it is very simply diagnosed with a throat swab, and if you do have strep, easily treated with antibiotics.  Bronchitis is a viral disease that will resolve on its own, given time.

Question 10

i was diagnosed. yesterday with strep throat. they gave me a shot of bicilon  how long does it take to kick in and the fever will go away?

Accepted Answer

Typically 48 hours.: Bicillin injection is convenient, but rather painful and expensive way to treat strep. In most cases, the good old penicillin is the #1 recommended treatment for strep infection. Oral formualtion is much cheaper. Typically, you should see improvement from strep (if the bug is sensitive to it) quite rapidly, often within 48 hours. If by tomorrow n u r not better, consult doc. Good luck.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Is strep throat contagious without a fever

A member asked:

Can you catch strep throat from someone if they don't have a fever yet? it was caught early & the fever hadn't developed yet. is it still contagious?

A member asked:

I have strep throat. i dont have a bad case of it and no fever. do i have to get on meds to get better? how long will i be contagious with no meds?

A member asked:

I am a cosmetology master instructor, i have a student w strep throat 31 yrs old her 3rd time with strep throat, fever. how long is she contageous?

A member asked:

If you don't have a fever does that mean it's not strep throat?

A member asked:

Does strep throat cause a rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

How do i know if my strep throat has given me rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

Could my 10 month old possibly have strep throat if his fever went away?

A member asked:

Is it possible to have strep throat with only minor symptoms & develop rheumatic fever?

A member asked:

Is strep throat usually accompanied by a fever? what about bronchitis? and does bronchitis usually resolve on its own?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed. yesterday with strep throat. they gave me a shot of bicilon how long does it take to kick in and the fever will go away?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?