Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrescriptionsOver-the-Counter TherapiesHome RemediesSurgeryComplementary Medicine (CAM)PreventionFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Strep Throat GuideWhat Is Strep Throat?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prescriptions
Over-the-Counter Therapies
Home Remedies
Surgery
Complementary Medicine (CAM)
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Strep Throat Guide
Strep throatis treated with prescription antibiotics, such as penicillin,amoxicillin, anderythromycin, among others. Sometimes, over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or home remedies can reduce pain and ease other uncomfortable symptoms. If you have symptoms, you should see your healthcare provider to find out whether you have strep throat—an accuratediagnosiswill help you get the right treatment for the infection and help prevent complications of a persistent infection.
Prescription antibioticsare the treatment of choice for strep throat for several reasons:
Selection of Antibiotics
If you do not have an allergy to penicillin, you will likely be prescribed:
Any antibiotic that ends in-cillinis part of the penicillin family and will not be used if you have a penicillin allergy.
If you do have apenicillin allergy,there are safe alternatives to the above:
When to Call 911Call your healthcare provider if you experience rash and any other signs of allergy after taking an antibiotic. If yoursymptoms are severe(trouble breathing, facial swelling, vomiting, rapid pulse, wheezing), call 911 or seek emergency care.
When to Call 911
Call your healthcare provider if you experience rash and any other signs of allergy after taking an antibiotic. If yoursymptoms are severe(trouble breathing, facial swelling, vomiting, rapid pulse, wheezing), call 911 or seek emergency care.
Effectiveness
How well an antibiotic works for you depends on a few factors, including:
Will Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own?
Precautions and Considerations
There are many different kinds of bacteria that normally live in the back of the throat and don’t make you sick. In fact, these bacteria, called “normal flora,” actually help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Many antibiotics destroy normal flora along with harmful bacteria. Losing that protection that you would usually get from normal flora can cause you to contract another case of strep throat within the first month or so after your initial treatment—even if your first course of antibiotics was successful.
If you stop early before the infectious bacteria is eradicated, resistant strains can begin to multiply, and they will be far less responsive to treatment in the future. Antibiotic resistance has been reported with the antibiotics used to treat strep throat, though resistant bacterial strains are not common.Resistance has been reported with all antibiotics, especially withZithromax(azithromycin).
To avoid antibiotic resistance, take your medications as prescribed and complete the entire course even if you feel better.
If an initial course of antibiotics does not work for you, a new antibiotic typically will.
If you have strep throat, some over-the-counter therapies can help relieve some of yoursymptomsas you recover, but they cannot treat the infection or prevent complications.
Home remedies can make you more comfortable if you have strep throat, but they cannot cure the infection.They are short-term solutions and do not provide lasting relief.
Some home remedies you may find helpful include:
If you have had strep throat seven or more times in one year, your healthcare provider may recommend atonsillectomy.This procedure is more common for children than adults, primarily because children have a higher tendency to experience recurrent strep throat infections.
In most cases, a tonsillectomywill solve the problem of recurring strep throat, but not always. Speak with your/your child’s healthcare provider about the possible reasons for recurring strep throat and the benefits and risks of surgery as you are considering this procedure.
Most people can go home on the same day or within 24 hours after surgery. Recovery generally takes five to 10 days.During recovery, cold foods and drinks are recommended for comfort and to decrease swelling.
Seek medical attention if you experience a fever above 100.4 F or have extreme pain, shortness of breath, or a bloody cough following surgery.
Research
There has been some research looking at potential CAM treatments for Strep throat, and some treatments that have had interesting results in a laboratory setting have not been proven to help treat the infection in humans.
Even though strep throat is contagious, you can take steps toprevent spreading itand to reduce your chances of catching it from others.
One of the easiest ways to prevent strep throat is towash your hands. This is especially important after you sneeze, cough, go to the bathroom, or before preparing food. Using a hand sanitizer can also help.
In general, try to avoid contact with people who are strep throat carriers. If you live with someone who has this infection, do your best to avoid using the same utensils, straws, ortoothbrush holder. The less you share, the safer you’ll be.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAntibiotics are the first-choice treatment. In some instances, an adenotonsillectomy, the removal of thetonsilsandadenoids, is recommended for people who have recurrent infections.Yes. Research shows thatherbaltea made with safe concentrations of licorice, barberry, thyme, or oregano can relieve symptoms of strep throat (but it doesn’t treat the infection).
Antibiotics are the first-choice treatment. In some instances, an adenotonsillectomy, the removal of thetonsilsandadenoids, is recommended for people who have recurrent infections.
Yes. Research shows thatherbaltea made with safe concentrations of licorice, barberry, thyme, or oregano can relieve symptoms of strep throat (but it doesn’t treat the infection).
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