does anyone know how long the strep virus can stay in the body? in november i got a bad case of strep throat and received antibiotics. most of my symptoms cleared up, but my glands remained swollen and i am tired all of the time. i went back to the doctor and was tested for mono, which came back negative, and strep, which came back elevated. the doctor told me that it is normal for strep to remain in the bloodstream even months after the infection and that no more antibiotics would be necessary. does this sound right? has anyone else tested positive for strep for months?