A partner has strep throat and there is a newborn

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat that can spread through coughs, sneezes, saliva, and shared cups or utensils. A person with a sore throat may have strep, a viral illness, or tonsillitis from another cause, so a test or clinical assessment may be needed. The newborn may not show the same symptoms as an older child or adult.

Watch the baby for poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, breathing difficulty, fewer wet nappies, vomiting, or a temperature concern. Do not rely on the baby having a visibly sore throat; newborn illness can appear as a general change in behaviour or feeding.

The unwell adult should wash hands carefully before touching the baby, wear a well-fitting mask when close contact is unavoidable, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid kissing the baby. Do not share towels, cups, cutlery, dummies, or food. Clean frequently touched surfaces and improve ventilation. Follow the prescribed antibiotic plan if strep has been confirmed, and ask the treating clinician when close contact is appropriate again.

A healthy adult can handle feeding and soothing where possible. Contact a GP or paediatric clinician promptly if the newborn has symptoms or if you are unsure about exposure; do not give the baby antibiotics or fever medicine without professional advice.

Seek urgent help if the newborn has trouble breathing, is difficult to wake, has blue or grey lips, refuses several feeds, has markedly fewer wet nappies, or seems seriously unwell. Any temperature concern in a newborn deserves prompt clinical advice, especially when paired with poor feeding or unusual drowsiness. The infected adult should seek care for worsening throat swelling, inability to swallow fluids, or breathing difficulty.

Does the adult need a test or antibiotic treatment? How should we manage feeding and close contact, and when is the infection less likely to spread? Which newborn symptoms require same-day assessment?