How contagious is strep throat?

Strep throat is easily transferable from person-to-person through sneezing, coughing or blowing the nose, according to Kids Health. It can also be indirectly transferred from an object to person by sharing items such as utensils and cups. Once antibiotics are administered for 24 hours, the person is no longer contagious.

Strep throat is caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, according to Kids Health. Because an untreated strep throat infection can lead to complications that affect other parts of the body, it is most widely treated using antibiotics. To ensure that the infection has been treated, individuals must take a full course of antibiotics even if they begin feeling better in a day or two.