Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
Definition
Close contact with someone who has a Strep throat infection
Health Information
Types of Exposure
Close Contact
- Someone living in the same household.
- Kissing relationship with someone who has a positive Strep test.
- Contact occurred within 10 days of onset of symptoms.
Other Types of Contact
- Limited contact with someone outside the home who has a positive strep test - this type of contact commonly occurs at school.
- Sometimes, the contact is with someone who was treated for Strep without testing.
Care Advice
Overview
- Many children have contact with someone with Strep throat.
- Most children do not develop a strep infection after being exposed.
- Children taking antibiotics for over 12 hours and without fever do not spread Strep to others.
- Strep tests are not needed for children who do not have symptoms.
If Your Child Gets a Sore Throat
- It could be Strep throat or just a viral infection of the throat.
- A sore throat is frequently part of a cold.
- The only way to tell is to get a Strep test. A Strep test is not urgent.
What to Expect
- It usually takes 2 to 5 days from the strep exposure to start developing symptoms.
- If your child goes 7 days without getting symptoms, they won’t get Strep.
Return to School
If your child has no symptoms, they do not need to miss any school.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child gets any Strep symptoms in the next 7 days
- You think your child needs to be seen
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts.
Reviewed by: AR D.O., TT D.O. | 08/2023