About Effective Treatment of Strep Throat

Strep throat is caused by an infection of Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, which is contagious and spreads easily between people, especially children. The most effective treatment for strep throat is antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that cause the infection. See your doctor if you suspect that you or your child has strep; it may cause serious complications if it goes untreated. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine about effective treatments for strep throat.

Oral Antibiotics

• Oral and injected antibiotics such as amoxicillin and azithromycin are the standard treatment for strep throat and reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

Antibiotic Side Effects

• Possible side effects of oral and injected antibiotics include diarrhea, upset stomach, thrush and yeast infections.

Salt Water

• Gargling with half of a teaspoon of salt mixed into an 8-ounce glass of water can reduce pain in your throat and can be used several times per day.

Honey

• Honey is an effective home remedy at soothing sore throats and can be mixed into hot tea, but it is not appropriate for children under age 1.

Lozenges

• Sucking on throat lozenges can add moisture to your throat, and varieties with menthol may help to numb the pain.

Fluids

• Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids such as chicken broth, juice and water can keep your throat moist and reduce inflammation.

Humidifiers

• Running a cool-air humidifier while you sleep can keep your nose and throat moist and reduce inflammation and irritation caused by strep throat.