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Suggest Treatment For Strep Throat

Posted on Fri, 21 Apr 2017

Question: How contagious is strep throat? Could I get it from someone just breathing on me or from touching something in a public place? How long does the strep bacteria live on inanimate objects?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Strep throat is caused by a very commonly encountered bacteria. Since the bacteria is already widespread, I would not really label Strep throat as 'contagious'. Let me mention that viral causes of sore throat or cough and cold are more common and they spread through aerosols. In other words, when somebody coughs on you (not just breathing on you) and you breathe in the contaminated aerosols, you could get coryza.

They are unlikely to spread through touch (fomites, as they are called).

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (23 minutes later)

So would you say the chances of catching strep throat from just being out in the general public (like the gym or a restaurant or grocery store) is not very likely?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No it is not very likely.

Detailed Answer:
No it is not very likely.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana