How long can strep go untreated?

[Mommie2be2011]

The symptoms I'm showing for strep are:
1. White spots on tonsils
2. Tonsils are sore/swollen (not extremely painful though, I can still talk, sing and eat without a problem but they are somewhat sore)

Those are the only two symptoms I'm showing for strep but I don't know if it is strep or just a cold. I can't see a doctor until November 16th because most offices near me don't accept my health insurance (through the state, it's pregnancy insurance, I'm almost 5 months along) Other than those 2 symptoms, I haven't gotten even the slightest fever. The highest I've been since my tonsils have been swollen was 98.3. That's it. I share a room with my boyfriend and my tonsils have been sore and swollen for 4 days, almost 5 but he hasn't seem to have caught a thing and we share a bed together. So no fever, no tiredness, no loss of energy or anything. Just a sore throat with white spots. Could it be something else other than strep? And if it is strep throat, can it go untreated? If so, will it harm my baby or me? I've heard about cases where people don't even know they have strep because they don't show any symptoms for it. I used to get it 5 times a year and it would hit me first with an extremely high fever but not this time. It's almost as if the strep skipped the worst of it and went straight to getting over it (or so it feels) no nausea, no vomiting, no headaches, etc. Just a sore throat with white spots. WebMD said that it can go untreated 3-7 days with or without treatment but that's just a website and I'd like to hear from some real people who have had a similar experience or someone who knows what he/she is talking about. I've heard 3-7 days, I've heard scarlet fever, I've heard it can get into your blood stream if went untreated, etc. All I want is the real answer: What happens if it goes untreated? Will anything happen if it goes untreated? Will it really get better or will it just get worse? Is there an "at-home" remedy I can do before my appointment on November 16th? Thank you!

[mary459]

Hi my mother had just got diag. With hemolytic strep in her finger nail how long can that go untreated? And does that cause any other health issues?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Tonsillitis can be caused by a variety of microorganisms and may present with sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, headache and swollen painful nodes in the neck. It is usually caused by a virus, but about one-third are caused by bacteria, as mentioned above. Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell the difference between viral causes and bacterial causes without doing tests. With viral infection, the symptoms usually resolve after a few days. However, if the symptoms persist, it is best that you have this checked by your doctor for proper management. Direct clinical examination and diagnostic tests such as throat swabs may identify the possible cause. Remember that not all medications are safe to take during this time so it is better to have this evaluated first. Warm saline gargles may help. Take care and do keep us posted.

[toots322]

hi from personal experience only i would just go to the er i wouldnt wait till the 16th knowing i am preg and may be pos for strep staph infection etc. it cant hurt and if its about money or insurance they have to see u theres alot of help out there for mothers or mothers to be especially and if u end up getting some kind of bill they cant get blood from a stone send them five bucks a month right now worry about u and your baby good luck let me know

[mkh9]

Hi again,
I also wanted to say occasionally you can get a strep throat without fever. It usuallly is recommended to see a doctor for antibiotics and culture/strep test because of the possible complications of some strains if not treated. Obviously, I'm saying you should get treatment. If it was just a sore throat with no pus and you had other symptoms such as a runny nose then it would be viral and it wouldn't require antibiotics.
mkh9
mkh9

[mkh9]

Hi well I can give you some information. I think if it was group A strep. that is Streptococcus pyogenes you would have a fever. There are several types of beta hemolytic strep that are not group A, they all cause a sore throat and give you pus in the throat. Some are more virulent than others. There is Group B or S. agalactiae, Strep group C, G and Strep group F or Strep. anginosis group  (they grow as large colony beta hemolytic strep on a petri dish). I had group C but it was an invasive strain and I got sick the same day after being exposed and I could hardly drive about 5 blocks to the doctor. I had a high fever and the pus (or white spots) was covering both tonsils entirely. I felt very sick. I was given two shots of Azitrhomycin and a Z pack too! It worked within 2-3 days. But then I've had group B strep and it was a bad sore throat with pus and they gave me antibiotics but it wasn't that bad. At this point I have a hard time believing this is S. pyogenes or Group A strep or an invasive strain without you having a fever. All of the beta hemolytic streptococci can potentially go beyond the throat and give you complications, but some are more likely than others. There are strep milleri that are small colony (on a petri dish they grow small) and these are not as virulent and can even be normal "flora". However, the fact that you have pus and sore thoat. means it isn't a normal flora. Also, Group B strep can be serious to the baby if it gets into the vaginal canal and during birth the baby can get it. So, I am not going to tell you not to go into the doctor, I can't do that especially since you are pregnant. It is up to you to take that risk. But you can try gargling with salt water several times a day and see if it goes away. If you get a fever you would have to go in immediately. So, it can be possible to have a strep throat not group A or not large colony group C or G and not have an invasive strain or a strain that may not go beyond the throat and become a more serious infection. There is another bacteria called Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, that causes pharyngitis (sore throat) and also can become endocarditis. However, you haven't had a culture done. So, I am giving you what I know and it is up to you to decide here. I personally wouldn't take the risk if I was pregnant. I hope this gives you enough information to make a decision. If you have any questions I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
Mkh9