Strep Throat
Group A strep infection
What it is
A strep infection is contagious and usually causes a sore throat. It may also cause severe fatigue, headache, nausea, and fever. Scarlet fever may cause a red rash with small bumps and a red tongue that looks like a strawberry.
What you can do at home
What to do
- Get as much rest as possible.
- Replace the toothbrush 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
- To relieve pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). When in doubt, ask a pharmacist for advice.
Important: Ibuprofen is contraindicated for children under 6 months of age.
To relieve a sore throat
- For adults and children who can gargle: gargle with warm salt water for about 1 minute, several times a day.
- Mix 240 mL (1 cup or 8 oz.) of safe drinking water or boiled water that has been left to cool with 2.5 mL (½ tsp.) of salt.
- Drink warm or cold fluids, whichever feels more soothing.
- Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow, such as soup, puréed foods, eggs, cottage cheese or yogurt.
- Try something cold, such as popsicles (ice pops) or frozen yogurt.
- For children aged 4 years and older: let an ice cube or a lozenge (cough drop) dissolve slowly in the mouth.
- For babies and young children: offer warm or cold water or milk, according to preference.
To prevent spreading the infection
- Stay home for the first 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
- Wash hands often.
- Do not share objects that have been in contact with the sick person's mouth.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- Avoid close contact with others, especially babies, children, older adults and people who are immunocompromised.
Avoid
- Smoking or vaping
- Places where there is smoke or dust
When to seek medical attention
Symptoms that last more than 3 days, even without known contact with someone who has a strep throat infection:
- severe sore throat
- pain when swallowing
- fever
- tender lymph nodes in the neck
- white patches on the tonsils or at the back of the throat
Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain, especially in children
After 3 days of antibiotics:
- persistent fever
- no improvement in overall condition
Fever, sore throat and difficulty swallowing after contact with someone who has a strep throat infection: get tested
Need help?
Make an appointment through Clic Santé for a screening.
Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse at any time.
Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment.
Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC.
If you do not have a family doctor, go to https://gap.soinsvirtuels.gouv.qc.ca/en ↗ or call 811, Option 3.
When to go to the hospital right away
Inability to swallow saliva or water
Rapid changes in overall condition, including:
- unusual fatigue or difficulty staying awake
- little or no response to what is happening around them
- confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- decreased appetite or thirst
- difficulty carrying out normal daily activities
Severe difficulty breathing, especially if:
- breathing becomes increasingly difficult, even at rest
- there is a high-pitched or wheezing sound when breathing (stridor)
- the chest or abdomen pulls inward with each breath (retractions)
- the skin, lips or fingers are blue or bluish (cyanosis)
- in babies and children under 2 years of age, the nostrils flare with each breath
Signs of dehydration that persist despite drinking plenty of fluids, including:
- dry mouth
- extreme thirst
- dark yellow urine
- no urine for more than 12 hours
- crying without tears
- weakness
- in young children, refusing to drink