Understanding Strep Throat and the Need for Antibiotics
Strep throat is an extremely common bacterial infection that causes severe sore throat and pain when swallowing. It is estimated that over 11 million cases occur every year in the United States alone. The infection is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, also known as streptococcus pyogenes.
When left untreated, strep throat can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic fever, skin infections, kidney inflammation, and abscesses around the tonsils. That's why it is so important to use antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection and prevent these potential problems.
Antibiotics Are Necessary to Treat Strep
Antibiotics, usually penicillin or amoxicillin, are considered absolutely necessary to treat strep infections. The antibiotics stop the spread of bacteria and prevent some of the most serious complications. Without proper antibiotic treatment, the throat infection can remain contagious for weeks or more.
Using antibiotics helps relieve symptoms faster, prevents the spread of infection to others, and reduces the risk of post-infection immune disorders. Antibiotics also help prevent recurring strep infections which can lead to ongoing inflammation and illness.
Why Over the Counter Antibiotics Aren't the Answer
While antibiotics are clearly needed for treating strep bacteria, self-medicating with over the counter antibiotics is never advisable. All antibiotics can cause side effects and they can interact with other medications you may be taking.
In addition, indiscriminate use of antibiotics leads to increased antibiotic resistance making them less effective against bacteria over time. For this reason, antibiotics are only available with a valid prescription written by a medical provider after definitive diagnosis through lab testing.
Getting an Accurate Strep Throat Diagnosis
Since antibiotic misuse causes bigger health issues down the road, it’s crucial to have an accurate strep diagnosis before starting treatment. There are a few ways medical professionals can definitively diagnose the strep bacteria:
Throat Culture
Also known as a rapid strep test, a throat culture is done by swabbing the infected throat area. The culture is examined to look for evidence of the streptococcus bacteria that indicates strep infection. Results are available within minutes.
Throat Swab PCR Test
This is a very accurate nucleic acid amplification test that looks for genetic material of the strep bacteria. It can provide results in just 20 minutes. However, a PCR test is more expensive than a rapid strep test.
Complete Blood Count Test
A CBC blood test can reveal indications of a strep infection by checking white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet numbers. Elevated white cells often accompany a streptococcal infection.
Once one or more lab tests confirm that strep throat is the culprit, appropriate antibiotics can be prescribed and taken exactly as directed. But testing is mandatory before starting antibiotics.
Choosing the Best Antibiotic Treatment
Penicillin remains the first-line antibiotic used to combat most strep throat infections. It has a long history of being a highly effective treatment. Cephalosporins like cefprozil and cephalexin are frequently prescribed alternatives for penicillin.
Oral Penicillin Treatment
Taken twice per day for 10 days, amoxicillin is a commonly prescribed oral penicillin. This short-course antibiotic stops infection, provides symptom relief, and prevents rare strep complications all with minimal side effects for most people.
Injectable Penicillin Treatment
Beyond pills, penicillin injections like benzathine penicillin or penicillin G potassium may be used. This allows high doses of antibiotics to treat advanced cases of infection. Just one or two doses can knock out strep bacteria.
For Penicillin Allergy Sufferers
Those with confirmed penicillin allergies are typically prescribed erythromycin or azithromycin instead. Taken for the full 10 day period as directed provides the same infection-fighting benefits as penicillin for treating strep throat.
Whichever antibiotic is chosen by your physician, complete the whole course properly. Stopping too soon raises the risk of recurrent infection and antibiotic resistance developing.
Home & Natural Remedies to Soothe Strep Throat
Taking antibiotics is imperative when dealing with a group A streptococcus infection, but that doesn’t mean home remedies have no role to play in the healing process. Many DIY and natural treatments can provide relief from painful throat symptoms until the antibiotics take full effect.
Salt Water Gargling
Gargling with warm salt water 2-3 times a day thins out mucus, draws out fluid, reduces inflammation, and slightly disinfects the throat tissue. The salt may sting at first but it lowers swelling long term.
Sipping Herbal Tea
Drinking teas made with herbs like licorice root, slippery elm, marshmallow root, or sage slowly coats the throat with soothing anti-inflammatory compounds. The warmth itself helps as well. Adding honey boosts the healing effects.
Essential Oil Diffusing
Inhaling the aroma of certain essential oils can relieve throat discomfort and speed healing. Oils like lavender, lemon, peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus have antibacterial, antioxidant and analgesia properties according to research.
Eating Soothing Foods Like Popsicles or Jello
Soft, cool foods like frozen fruit pops, gelatin, ice cream, or smoothies make swallowing much more comfortable. Cold items can numb sore throat pain better than other options. The healthier the foods, the more nutritious support your body gets too.
Using Sprays and Lozenges
Local anesthetic sprays with benzocaine or chloraseptic temporarily numb the throat area providing quick relief for a couple hours. Some lozenges contain anti-inflammatories like flurbiprofen to reduce swelling and irritation longer term as well.
Avoid reliance on sprays or lozenges alone. Use in combination with other remedies and the prescribed antibiotics for combatting the actual infection.
Taking Over the Counter Pain Relievers
Medications like ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen can reduce throat pain and high fever symptoms common with strep infections. But antibiotics treat the root cause while OTC meds only mask symptoms.
Never take aspirin for strep throat or give it to children as it raises the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening condition.
Putting It All Together - A Holistic Strep Throat Treatment Approach
Successfully fighting off a strep infection and overcoming the painful symptoms requires the right combination approach tailored to your personal health status. Here are some key treatment guidelines to follow:
Get an Accurate Strep Diagnosis First
Without lab test confirmation, you can’t know if symptoms are viral or bacterial. Prescribed antibiotics are only effective against bacteria not viruses. So accurate testing guides the whole treatment process.
Follow Provider Antibiotic Recommendations
With confirmed strep from testing, follow your doctors prescription precisely to fight the root infection properly. Take the full antibiotic course as directed to prevent recurrence or resistance.
Utilize Soothing Natural Remedies
While antibiotics treat the infection, herbal teas, honey, essential oils and pain relieving sprays can numb discomfort. This duel treatment fights bacteria internally while soothing throat irritation externally.
Stick to a Soft Nutrient Dense Diet
Focus on getting vitamins and minerals from soups, smoothies, broths and gelatins during acute symptoms. A nutritious diet fortifies the immune response so your body heals most efficiently.
Attacking a strep throat infection from all angles gives you the best chance for fastest recovery and preventing repeat illness. Avoid guesses - get tested. Take prescribed antibiotics properly. Soothe the soreness alternately. Eat a nourishing easy-to-swallow diet. Together, you’ll get back to health quicker.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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