Strep Throat Remedies

Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection that causes an extremely sore throat, fever, headaches, swollen lymph glands and sometimes stomach pain. If left untreated, strep throat can cause other, more serious conditions such as rheumatic fever and kidney inflammation. Strep throat most commonly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15, but anyone can develop the condition at any age. Diagnosis of it is done through a throat culture or a rapid antigen test.

Antibiotics

• Because strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are typically prescribed to clear up the infection. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for a strep infection include amoxicillin, penicillin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, cephalosporin and clindamycin. Patients taking antibiotics will usually start to feel better within 24 to 48 hours of beginning the medicine, but it is important to finish all the prescribed medication to prevent a recurrence of the infection or serious complications.

Pain Relievers

• Over-the-counter pain relievers can be helpful in alleviating some the most common symptoms of strep throat, including sore throat, fever and headaches. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both commonly recommended, but aspirin should be avoided in children and teens because of a potentially life-threatening condition called Reye's syndrome.

Home Remedies

• Several home remedies are known to help alleviate the pain and scratchiness of a sore throat. Try gargling warm salt water by mixing a quarter teaspoon of salt in a glass of water. This can be done several times a day as needed. Avoiding acidic foods such as tomatoes and orange juice can provide some relief as can cold, wet foods such as ice cream or Popsicles. A warm tea with honey is also known to provide some relief for people with a sore throat.