Antibiotics for Strep Throat
Antibiotics are the number one treatment method for strep throat. Not only can this help cure the ailment, but it will also go a long way in making the infection less contagious.
Since a doctor must prescribe antibiotics, anybody who thinks they are suffering from strep throat should visit their medical professional as soon as possible.
Some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics include:
- Penicillin
- Cephalexin
- Amoxicillin
Note: antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, such as strep throat. For this reason, they will not help with the treatment of a sore throat caused by a viral infection or allergies.
Antibiotics are used for the following:
- Relieve the pain and discomfort associated with strep throat
- Speed up the healing process
- Kill the bacteria associated with strep throat, thus shortening the time you are contagious
- Prevent serious complications, such as bacteria spreading to other parts of your body
Once a doctor confirms a strep infection, antibiotic treatment can begin. While a rapid strep test can diagnose this type of infection within 15 minutes, some doctors wait for the results of a throat culture to ensure that antibiotics are not used unnecessarily.
Side Effects of Antibiotics
There are side effects associated with antibiotics, including the following:
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Nausea
While not common, other side effects can include shortness of breath and hives.
Despite the fact that there are other treatment options for strep throat, such as home remedies, most people agree that the use of antibiotics is the best strategy.
With antibiotic treatment, it does not take long to minimize the symptoms, lessen the change of somebody else contracting the disease, and making you more comfortable.
For many years, antibiotics have been used to treat strep throat and there is no reason to believe that this is going to change anytime soon. For the time being, this is clearly the best available treatment option.