Keep your distance from someone who has a sore, scratchy throat. There is a possibility that it is strep throat. It is easy for strep bacteria to spread from person to person through close contact. Stay away from people with strep throat by learning how to spot them. Take good care of yourself and the children in your care by practicing good hygiene.   People with strep throat spread the disease through coughing and sneezing. The air is filled with droplets filled with bacteria. Also, you can get strep when you rub your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching something these droplets land on. It is possible to contract strep by sharing personal items with someone who is sick, such as a fork, spoon, glass, or toothbrush. Getting strep from kissing someone with it is also possible.   After being exposed to the bacteria, you typically begin to show symptoms 2 to 5 days after getting infected. If you don't get treated, you can remain contagious for up to a month. Infections can be prevented from spreading with antibiotics. Antibiotics stop people from being contagious after 24 hours. In the late fall and early spring, when children are in school, strep throat is more likely to spread. Streptococcal infections are most common among children between the ages of 5 and 15. It is also contagious among adults. Those with a weakened immune system are more likely to contract strep throat.