Vomiting With Strep Throat: How to Stop & When to See a Doctor

Key takeaways:

• Vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain can be common and normal symptoms associated with strep throat. They are more likely to occur in children than adults.
• Your vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms should begin to improve after a few days of antibiotic treatment.
• If you don’t feel better after a few days of antibiotics or if your symptoms worsen, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.

When you hear “strep throat,” you probably think of a very painful throat infection that causes swelling and redness of the tonsils. However, strep throat can also cause other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, nausea and vomiting may be the only symptoms you experience. While it’s important to recognize them as potential manifestations of strep throat, it’s also crucial to know when your symptoms warrant a visit to the doctor.

Is it normal to vomit with strep throat?

It is not only normal but also fairly common to vomit with a strep throat infection.

Gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are normal clinical features of group A streptococcal infections. These kinds of symptoms are particularly common in pediatric patients. Sometimes, they may be the only symptoms present.

Causes of vomiting with strep throat

If you experience vomiting with strep throat, it may be a result of the infection itself or may be caused by the antibiotics prescribed to treat the infection.

Strep bacteria

The most common group of bacteria that causes strep throat infections is known as group A Streptococcus.

This type of bacteria can cause infections of the skin, the head and neck (throat, sinuses, ears), and the respiratory tract. When a person develops a strep throat infection caused by group A strep bacteria, they may also experience abdominal pain and vomiting. These symptoms are common and can be normal. In children, abdominal pain and vomiting will often occur before a sore throat develops.

Prescribed medications

Strep throat requires treatment with antibiotic medications. Antibiotics can be notorious for being harsh on the stomach and causing gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If your vomiting occurs shortly after taking your antibiotics, you can consider the medication as a likely culprit. If someone takes their antibiotics on an empty stomach, they may be more likely to experience gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, it is suggested that antibiotics be taken after or while eating a meal.

How long vomiting can last with strep throat

Most patients who experience vomiting with strep throat will notice an improvement in their symptoms by day three or four of antibiotic treatment. Most courses of antibiotics for strep infections last for 10 days.

It’s important to point out that even if you start feeling better quickly during treatment, your bacterial infection may not have been fully eradicated. As a result, it’s important to finish the entire course of medication, even if you are feeling better. Stopping an antibiotic early can lead to antibiotic resistance. Your symptoms may also return or worsen, potentially causing complications such as rheumatic fever.

When you should see a doctor about vomiting with strep throat

If you believe you have a strep throat infection, you should always consult your healthcare provider for an evaluation and treatment if warranted.

You should see a doctor if:

• You experience symptoms consistent with strep throat (sore throat, rash, fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting).
• You have been in close contact with someone known to have confirmed strep throat.
• Your symptoms of sore throat or vomiting worsen, particularly after starting antibiotic treatment.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You are unable to tolerate fluids for more than 24 hours.
• You experience difficulty closing your mouth, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or notice excessive drooling.
• You would describe your abdominal pain or throat pain as severe.

Questions to ask your doctor about vomiting with strep throat

• Is strep throat the cause of my vomiting, or do I show signs of a stomach virus or similar condition?
• Will antibiotics also address my symptoms of vomiting?
• Am I contagious? And if so, for how long?
• Are there any other medications I should take for my vomiting? What steps can I take to manage my vomiting at home?

Treatment options for vomiting with a strep throat diagnosis

Luckily, strep throat is extremely common. Your healthcare provider should easily be able to address your vomiting and strep throat infection, and you should begin to experience relief within a few days.

Always follow up with your provider if symptoms persist or worsen despite the use of prescribed antibiotics.

Medications

If you are diagnosed with strep throat, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the infection.

To avoid unnecessary antibiotic use, your doctor will likely confirm your diagnosis with a throat culture. There are a few antibiotic options that can treat strep throat, so let your provider know if you are allergic to any medications or take any medications that may interact with antibiotics.

If your vomiting is severe, your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medications to help you manage your symptoms. In cases where pain and swelling associated with strep throat are significant, you may be prescribed pain medication or short courses of steroids to help with the inflammation.

Hydration

Maintaining adequate hydration is important whenever you experience vomiting.

Another common symptom of strep throat is fever, which can also lead to dehydration. Oral rehydration with water and drinks containing electrolytes should be tried first. However, if you are unable to tolerate any liquids by mouth, then your healthcare provider may recommend IV hydration.

Rest

Allowing your body to rest is important in the recovery process of any infection, including strep throat. Strep throat is also very contagious; close contact with an individual infected with strep is the most common risk factor for spreading the illness.

Staying home to rest until symptoms resolve is important not only for your recovery but also from a public health standpoint to minimize the spread of the infection. You should be fever-free for 24 hours and have taken your antibiotics for at least 24 to 48 hours before returning to settings where you will have close contact with others, such as school or work.

Frequently asked questions: throwing up with strep throat

If this is the first time you are experiencing vomiting with a strep throat infection, it’s understandable to want to learn more. Here are answers to the most common questions healthcare providers encounter.

What should you do immediately after you vomit with strep throat?

It’s important to remain hydrated when you experience vomiting. Start with small sips of water or drinks containing electrolytes, and avoid solid food until the nausea and vomiting subside.

The caveat here is that you should not take antibiotics on an empty stomach. If you are prescribed antibiotics for strep throat, it is recommended that you eat something bland, such as crackers or toast, prior to taking your antibiotics.

Read our guide on what to eat or drink after vomiting for more.

What should you do if you are vomiting and have diarrhea with strep throat?

If you experience diarrhea with strep throat, the most important things you can do are stay hydrated and consult a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment.

It’s also wise to stick to bland foods and gradually advance your diet as tolerated. Please inform your healthcare provider if diarrhea and vomiting worsen after the start of antibiotics.

What should you do if there is blood in your vomit while you have strep throat?

It should never be considered normal to see blood in your vomit. If you experience blood in your vomit while you have strep, you should consult your healthcare provider immediately.

What if you’re only vomiting after taking antibiotics for strep throat?

If you only experience vomiting after taking antibiotics for strep throat, the medication itself may be the cause of your symptoms.

Antibiotics should never be taken on an empty stomach, so vomiting after taking antibiotics for strep throat might just indicate that you need to take your antibiotics after eating a full meal. It’s also possible that you may be experiencing an allergic or adverse reaction to your antibiotics. If your symptoms are severe or worsen, it’s best to reach out to your doctor.

Final thoughts

The pain and discomfort you experience with strep throat can be bad enough; dealing with abdominal pain and vomiting on top of it can be frustrating and stressful. However, recognizing these symptoms as possible manifestations of a strep throat infection can help you when it comes to getting a prompt evaluation and diagnosis. With the quick initiation of antibiotics, you should be feeling a significant improvement after just a few short days.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “About Strep Throat.” CDC, 18 Apr. 2024, http://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/strep-throat.html. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Igarashi, Hiroshi, et al. “Abdominal pain and nausea in the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis in boys.” International Journal of General Medicine, vol. 10, 22 Sep. 2017, pp. 311-318, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28989283/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Zafar Khan, Zartash. “Group a Streptococcal (GAS) Infections: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology.” EMedicine, Nov. 2019, emedicine.medscape.com/article/228936-overview. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.