Patient education: Strep throat – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for a sore throat. The staff did tests and found you have strep throat. This is an infection caused by a certain type of bacteria.

You were probably prescribed antibiotics. These can help prevent other problems that strep throat can sometimes cause. It is very important to finish the antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Make sure you drink enough fluids to stay hydrated.

●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve throat pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). If you are giving these to a child, read the package label carefully to make sure you give the right dose.

●You can also try these things to soothe throat pain:

•Suck on ice chips or a freezer pop. Older children and adults can suck on hard candies or lollipops.

•Sip warm tea or soup.

•Older children and adults can gargle with warm saltwater a few times each day.

•It might help to use a cool mist humidifier to add moisture to the air.

●Wash your hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection.

●Stay at home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Sick children should stay at home until the doctor says it is OK for them to return to school or day care. This helps prevent spreading the infection.

●Avoid smoking or being around people who are smoking – Smoke can make throat pain worse.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

•You have trouble breathing or swallowing.

•Your neck, tongue, or throat is swollen and is making it hard to breathe.

●Return to the ED if:

•You cannot swallow your saliva, and you are drooling.

•Your throat hurts so much you cannot eat or drink.

•You cannot open your mouth all the way.

•You have a stiff neck.

•You have signs of severe fluid loss, such as:

-Not urinating for longer than 8 hours

-Feeling very lightheaded or like you are going to pass out

-Feeling weak like you are going to fall

•You cannot keep any fluids down.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if:

●Your throat pain is getting worse or is so bad you cannot eat or drink.

●You develop signs of early fluid loss, such as:

•Dark urine

•Dry mouth

•Muscle cramps

•Lack of energy

•Feeling lightheaded when you get up

●Your symptoms have not improved after 3 days of antibiotics.

●You still have symptoms after you finish the antibiotics.

●You have new or worsening symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Strep throat in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Strep throat in children (The Basics)