If I'm Taking Antibiotics For Strep Throat, How Soon Should I Expect To Feel Better?

Dec. 29, 2008 -- Question: If I'm taking antibiotics for strep throat, how soon should I expect to feel better?

Answer: If you're taking antibiotics for a strep throat, you can expect to start feeling a little bit better in two to three days, and oftentimes completely better in five days. Now you're going to say, gosh, if I feel better in five days, I can stop my antibiotics. No. You need to take your antibiotic for 10 days for strep throat, because if you don't take the full course, there can be strep bacteria that just hide out in the back of your throat, either making you prone to a re-infection or making you prone to infecting other people. So it's very important to take the full 10-day course of antibiotic when you're treated for strep throat. Even though you may feel better in just a few days, finish the antibiotic.