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How Can I Prevent It?

The best way to avoid strep throat is to reduce stress, get plenty of rest, and fortify your body's natural defenses. Hand washing can greatly prevent infection. The bacteria are spread from sneezing, coughing or shaking hands. It can also be acquired by touching objects such as books, doorknobs, tables or other hard surfaces that were touched by a contaminated person and transferring it to your nose or mouth.

See your doctor if you quickly develop a fever and sore throat simultaneously; these are the hallmark symptoms of strep throat, which in some cases can develop into rheumatic fever if left untreated.