Q: Am I Screwed? My Family Just Tested Positive for Strep!

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers.

Q: "Help! My housemates just got diagnosed with strep throat. I'm a 33-year-old female, I drink and smoke, and I'm on Wellbutrin. I've been staying with family, and now both the mom and one of the kids have tested positive for strep. I'm really worried I'm going to catch it. What's the typical timeline for symptoms, and what signs should I be looking out for? I'm heading home in a couple of days, should I schedule a doctor's visit right away? Also, I was planning to see my friend's 3-month-old baby next weekend. Is that a bad idea?"

A: Oh, bad timing. Strep is contagious, but doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get it. Symptoms usually pop up 2-5 days after exposure. You should wait for actual symptoms, such as a sudden really sore throat (like swallowing glass), fever, headache, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck. There's no need to book a doctor's appointment yet - wait for symptoms because doctors don't typically use antibiotics before symptoms start, and tests aren't reliable then either. If symptoms do begin, get tested ASAP so you can get antibiotics if needed. It's probably better to postpone/cancel meeting the 3-month-old next weekend. Even if you feel fine, you could be contagious before symptoms show or just have a mild case, and it's not worth the risk to a tiny baby. Wash your hands like crazy & try not to share utensils/drinks. Good luck!

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

iOS - AppStore, Android - Google Play

https://fevercoach.us