Can you have strep throat without a fever?

I guess strep throat always comes with a fever or at least a chill. It’s been bothering my throat for a week now—it's better, but swallowing still hurts. I went to the doctor and he told me there was no fever or anything, just a virus, but then he gave me an antibiotic anyway and sent a swab to the lab. Like, don't take the meds because it's probably just a virus? So, okay... I didn't start the antibiotics, and then today he calls me saying, hey, the results are back and you actually have bacteria in your throat, so start the meds. But how am I feeling fine without a fever or anything? Is that really strep or something else? I mean, he tested me, but besides this pain and trouble swallowing for a week, what other signs are there? Could it be strep without a fever? Or what kind of bacteria is he talking about?

Austin Chavez76 said:I guess strep throat always comes with a fever or at least a chill. It’s been bothering my throat for a week now—it's better, but swallowing still hurts. I went to the doctor and he told me there was no fever or anything, just a virus, but then he gave me an antibiotic anyway and sent a swab to the lab. Like, don't take the meds because it's probably just a virus? So, okay... I didn't start the antibiotics, and then today he calls me saying, hey, the results are back and you actually have bacteria in your throat, so start the meds. But how am I feeling fine without a fever or anything? Is that really strep or something else? I mean, he tested me, but besides this pain and trouble swallowing for a week, what other signs are there? Could it be strep without a fever? Or what kind of bacteria is he talking about?

It's totally possible to have strep without a fever. It basically sets up camp and waits for the right conditions to strike...
You should get an ASO blood test, also known as the anti-streptolysin O titer. Group A Streptococcus is one of the most common bacterial infections found in people here in the States.
Streptolysin O is an extracellular product of the strep bacteria that triggers the body to produce antibodies, which we measure to confirm and track a strep infection. Basically, if those antibodies show up in your bloodwork, it means the strep bacteria is present and caused them to form.

I went through the exact same thing. It’s honestly the worst. You’re just sitting there, waiting for the other shoe to drop, wondering when the real disaster is going to hit. I actually thought I was dealing with something much more serious, but once things finally boiled over, my doctor put me on a heavy dose of penicillin and it cleared right up. The whole issue was basically wiped out.