Question from John of AK, US
Is it possible to prevent strep throat?
Dear John:
It is possible to prevent strep throat. In people who have had complications of strep infection, such as rheumatic fever or recurrent cellulitis (strep infection of the lower extremities), daily preventative (prophylactic) doses of penicillin can be taken indefinitely. Other antibiotics can be substituted in those patients allergic to penicillin. This is only recommended for specific indications.
In healthy patients, strep is treated as it occurs and the best prevention method is avoiding exposure to infected individuals.