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Strep Throat
Strep throat treatment available online today
To treat your strep throat, consult with one of our medical professionals online to prescribe antibiotics to eliminate throat pain. Get a new prescription to treat strep throat or refill an existing prescription today.
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Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
Most major insurance plans accepted
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Paying without insurance? New patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $99 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to get treated for strep throat today
Step 1
Book a strep throat treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your strep throat symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
If prescribed, pick up a prescription for strep throat.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Strep throat treatment pricing details
How it works
To request strep throat treatment and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $99
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Strep Throat Treatment FAQs
What is the treatment for strep throat?
Medical treatment for strep throat is a course of antibiotics. Since strep throat is a bacterial infection, it is treated by antibiotics. To get antibiotics, you will need to see a doctor for a prescription, which is given after the doctor evaluates your symptoms takes a strep throat test, to confirm the cause.
How long does strep throat last with treatment?
Symptoms of strep throat can resolve a day or two after beginning treatment with antibiotics. The strep throat infection is usually completely cured after 10 days of taking antibiotics, so it is important to finish taking the prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better sooner.
How long does strep throat last without treatment?
Strep throat can get better within a week without treatment, however, you will remain contagious for two to three weeks without antibiotics. In addition, without treatment, you are at risk of developing serious complications, such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever.
What to do for strep throat treatment when pregnant?
Strep throat is usually not dangerous to pregnant women, especially if you consult a doctor to get antibiotics it as soon as you notice symptoms. Antibiotics prescribed for strep throat, including penicillin and cephalosporin, should be safe for use during pregnancy.
It is important to get treatment as soon as possible, because a high fever could pose a threat to the baby. A severe fever during your first trimester could prevent the fetus’ vital organs from developing properly.
Antibiotics are generally safe for the baby, but taking more than prescribed can be harmful to both you and your baby. For this reason, it is important to take the antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms should generally improve within the first 24 hours of treatment. Make sure you take the complete course of the antibiotics you have been prescribed, even if you feel better. Not finishing the full course of prescribed antibiotics may leave bacteria in your system, allowing the bacteria to become immune to the antibiotics. If this happens, you may have to take more powerful antibiotics that can present harmful side effects to you and your baby.
What kind of treatment for strep throat spreads to your ear?
The best treatment for strep throat is a course of antibiotics. If strep throat spreads to your ear, it is even more important to see a doctor to get antibiotics, to stop the infection before serious complications arise.
Learn about strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection with various symptoms, including a painful sore throat with a sudden onset, pain while swallowing, and red or white patches in the back and on the roof of the mouth. These symptoms are often accompanied by a high fever. If your sore throat develops gradually rather than coming on suddenly, or you have a cough and congestion as well, these are more likely to be viral symptoms or allergies rather than strep.
Strep throat causes
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus, causes a strep throat infection. The bacteria that causes strep can spread by sharing food and drinks and engaging in close contact with a strep carrier, which is very contagious. You can also get strep throat by touching an infected surface and then touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Symptoms of strep throat
A sore throat is not always caused by strep bacteria. Strep has some common symptoms, which can include
Throat pain with a sudden onset
Red, swollen tonsils, often with white patches
Pain upon swallowing
Tender, swollen, lymph nodes
Small red spots on the back of the roof of the mouth
Body aches
A high fever (101° F or higher)
Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children
Although these are common strep symptoms, other conditions can appear with the same symptoms including. A viral infection such as the cold or flu can have similar symptoms. This is why it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of your sore throat and receive effective treatment. If your doctor suspects strep throat, they will take a throat culture to confirm the cause.
How to treat strep throat
Although sore throats due to the cold or flu can get better on their own, strep throat needs to be treated with antibiotics to prevent further spread and avoid the risk of complications. The most common treatment for strep throat is a course of antibiotics.
Antibiotics can reduce uncomfortable symptoms within a couple of days and prevent the spread of the infection to others when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. Most patients begin to feel better within a day or two of antibiotics. Speak to your doctor if you don't start feeling better within 48 hours of starting antibiotics.
Some other tips to relieve symptoms include:
Hydrate: It's important to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration due to fever and keep your throat lubricated.
Sleep: Your body needs adequate rest to fight the infection.
Eat soft foods: This can include eating soups, popsicles, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and other foods that are easy to swallow to reduce pain.
Humidifying: Humidifiers can help keep your nose and throat moist, relieving pain.
Stop smoking: Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke can aggravate symptoms.
Complications of untreated strep throatIt is important to treat strep with antibiotics right away to avoid spreading of the infection to other areas of the body and risking damage to your immune system.
Infection can spread to:The middle ear: This can lead to fever, ear pain, and hearing issues.
The sinuses: A sinus infection can lead to congestion, fever, and pain.
The lining of the brain and spinal cord: This infection is called meningitis and can cause fever, headache, and a stiff neck. While very rare, meningitis is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately
Immune damage can include:Kidney inflammation: Left untreated, strep can cause post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), characterized by kidney inflammation. Symptoms include a high blood pressure, dark urine, swelling in the face, hands, and feed, fatigue, and decrease urination frequency. Children under the age of seven years old have the highest risk for this condition.
Rheumatic fever: If strep is not fully treated or the course of prescribed antibiotics is not completed, bacteria can remain in the tonsils and cause an immune response throughout the body. This can cause the body to attack its own organs, especially the joints and heart valves. Symptoms of rheumatic fever include fever, joint pain, jerky movements, inflammation of the heart, and rarely, a skin rash. Children ages five to fifteen years old are most likely to develop rheumatic fever from an untreated strep infection. Antibiotics can treat rheumatic fever, but any tissue or organ damage caused from the infection could be permanent.
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDAS): PANDAS refers to strep causing a sudden onset or escalation of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or a tic disorder such as Tourette’s syndrome. Children younger than twelve years old are most likely to develop PANDAS.
Strep throat medications
Antibiotics are the most effective medication to treat strep. You must receive a strep diagnosis in order to be treated with antibiotics. Our doctors can order a rapid strep test to determine the cause of your symptoms. If the test is positive, our doctors can prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can kill the group A Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat. Antibiotics will have no effect on sore throats caused by viruses. The most common antibiotics prescribed to treat strep are penicillin and amoxicillin. They are safe and effective.
Patients allergic to penicillin may be able to take one of these alternative antibiotics:
Azithromycin Cefixime (Suprax)Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
Cephalexin (Keflex)Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Clindamycin (Cleocin)Side effects of antibiotics
Antibiotics can come with side effects, such as:
These side effects are usually mild and should stop once you finish the medicine. If they are severe or continue afterwards, speak to a doctor immediately
Although rare, some people can have an allergic reaction to antibiotics. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:Wheezing
Rash
Trouble breathing
Fast heartbeat
Dizziness
Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
A course of antibiotics to treat strep throat is usually taken for 10 days. You can start to feel better 24 hours after starting them. 24 hours after starting antibiotics, you will no longer be contagious and can go back to school or work.
It is important to finish the complete course of antibiotics to completely get rid of the infection and avoid the possibility of developing antibiotic resistant bacteria.
How to prevent strep throat
Wash your hands frequently: Washing your hands frequently throughout the day can prevent help infection. During strep season (late fall and early spring) and when in public places like schools, public transportation, or any other crowded public place, you are more at risk to be infected.
Avoid sharing personal items: You can decrease the risk of getting strep and other illnesses by avoiding sharing food, drinks, towels, and other personal items with others.
Cover when you cough or sneeze: To prevent spread, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and encourage others to do the same.
When to see a doctor for strep throat
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor:
Fever
Sore throat and swollen glands
Sore throat lasting more than 48 hours
If you experience any of these common strep throat symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to diagnose strep throat as soon as possible, so that they can prescribe you antibiotics to eliminate the infection and avoid spreading it to others.
Seek immediate help if you experience:
Sudden sore throat with a rash
Fever > 100.4° F for an infant 12 weeks old or younger
Fever > 104° F in any child or adult
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Diagnosed case of strep throat that doesn’t respond to antibiotics in 48 hours