The symptoms of strep throat usually improve even without treatment in 5 days, but you are contagious for several weeks, and there also is a risk of developing complications. Lack of treatment or incomplete treatment of strep throat can lead to various complications. Some of them may pose serious health risks. The active infection may occur in the throat, skin, and in blood. There may occur the infection of skin and soft tissues resulting in redness, pain, and swelling.
Scarlet fever is caused by toxins released by the bacteria.
After the organism is cleared, these antibodies can still cause disease in body organs. Rheumatic fever is a heart disease in which the inflammation of heart muscle and scarring of heart valves can occur. Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease in which the injury may lead to kidney failure. It is important not to share foods, drinks, napkins, handkerchiefs, or towels because infection may spread with these objects of personal use. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing to prevent passing fluid droplets to someone else.