Strep throat is an infection caused by a type of bacteria (group A streptococcus). Antibiotics can help your child feel better within a few days. Use these instructions to care for your child at home.

• Be sure your child takes all the antibiotic doses as prescribed, even if feeling better. This is the best way to kill the harmful germs.
• You can give medicine for pain if your health care provider says it's OK. Use these medicines exactly as directed:
  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^® or a store brand)
    OR
  • ibuprofen (such as Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
• Do not give aspirin to your child or teen. It can lead to serious medical problems.
• Offer your child plenty of warm or cold liquids to drink.
• For kids 4 years and older, you can give a hard candy or a lozenge. Kids can choke on these, so only give to kids when they are awake and sitting up. 
• If your child is over 6 years old, try a saltwater gargle. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and have your child gargle 4–6 times a day.
• Offer your child soft foods that are easy to swallow. Avoid salty, spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods (like citrus fruits), which can irritate a sore throat.
• Let your child rest as needed.
• Your child can return to child care or school when they have taken the antibiotics for 12 hours, are fever-free, and are feeling better.
• Follow up with your health care provider as instructed.

Your child:

• gets worse or does not get better within 3 days of starting antibiotics
• still has a fever after 2–3 days (or if the fever goes away and then comes back)
• develops a rash
• develops neck swelling, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, voice changes, or drooling
• has red or tea-colored pee
• can't drink liquids
• has any of these signs of dehydration:
  • a dry or sticky mouth
  • peeing less
  • no tears when crying
  • dizziness or drowsiness

What are the symptoms of strep throat? Kids with strep throat can have a sore throat, trouble swallowing, fever, headache, and swollen glands in their neck. They might also have belly pain, feel sick to their stomach, and throw up.

How do health care providers diagnose strep throat? Health care providers do a throat culture to test for bacteria. This is done by rubbing a swab against the back of the throat.

• Results from a "rapid" strep test are ready in a few minutes.
• Results from a regular culture take 2–3 days.

Is strep throat contagious? Yes. To prevent the spread of strep throat and other illnesses, kids (and adults) should:

• Wash their hands well and often with soap and water. Scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse, and dry thoroughly. If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, dishes, eating utensils, napkins, or towels with others. Wash dishes in hot, soapy water.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw it away and wash their hands. If a tissue isn't available, sneeze or cough into their elbow or upper arm, not their hands.