One in five cases of sore throat is strept. Throat. A bacteria, Streptococcus, causes strept. Throat and is treatable with Penicillin. It must be instituted within 10 days to prevent the complications of rheumatic fever and kidney damage, since the sore throat itself will resolve anyway. Simply come to the office for the nurse to perform a throat culture, and the results will be called to you after 24 hours, allowing adequate time for therapy to prevent complications. Symptomatic relief may be obtained by dissolving Aspirin in salt water and gargling and swallowing as necessary. A prescription gargle may be appropriate. The disease is moderately contagious and infected individuals should remain out of contact with others for 2-3 days after beginning therapy. When sterilizing eating utensils, if you cannot use automatic dishwasher, then use 1 ounce of Clorox to 1 quart of water as a soaking solution. Remember to obtain a throat culture within 2 days in other members of the family, since this is the only diagnostic test for streptococcal throat.