A strep throat infection is caused by group A streptococcus, a highly contagious bacteria. This is the primary cause of strep throat, although many occurrences can lead to contracting strep throat, as it can be spread by: - Airborne Droplets — When an individual with strep throat breathes, sneezes or coughs, the droplets released into the surrounding environment contain the infection-causing bacteria, and breathing in these airborne droplets can infect a healthy individual. - Saliva — Another mode of strep transmission is sharing foods or drinks with an infected individual. - Physical Contact — People with a strep infection unknowingly harbor the bacteria on their hands and can contaminate anything or anyone they touch. Shaking hands with an infected person or touching the objects they have used may transfer the bacteria to a healthy person’s hand, which can cause an infection if it penetrates into the body, such as through touching the face (mouth or nose) without washing your hands first.