Can you give your kids strep throat just by holding them?

Strep throat is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus (GAS). These bacteria are spread through close contact with an infected person, usually through respiratory droplets. This means that you can only give someone strep throat if you are infected with the bacteria and if they come into close contact with you. So, while it is possible to spread strep throat to your children by holding them if you are infected, it is not the only way that they can get the infection.