Medications for Strep Throat
Unlike a common sore throat, if you are diagnosed with strep throat your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic. For many years, this has been the treatment of choice for this ailment.
Here are three reasons why this is the most common treatment method for strep throat:
- The use of antibiotics will reduce the amount of time you are contagious. This is a benefit for those who will be around others, such as at work or home.
- Antibiotic treatment can reduce the chance of serious complications related to the infection itself or the way your body reacts.
- Antibiotics can shorten the amount of time you are sick, in many cases up to 24 hours.
While many people think that the use of an antibiotic is the answer to any type of sore throat, this is not the case. This is only helpful if you have an ailment caused by bacteria, such as strep throat. Antibiotics can be used in the following situations:
- You tested positive for strep throat via a throat culture or rapid strep test.
- You have three or more of these symptoms: white spots on the tonsils or throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and no signs of a common cold (such as a runny nose and coughing)
- Family members or coworkers have been confirmed positive for strep throat (meaning that you may have contracted the illness from them).
The most common types of antibiotics include:
- Penicillin
- Amoxicillin
- Erythromycin
- Cephalexin
Unless you are allergic, penicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for strep throat.
When it comes to medications for strep throat, none are better at treating this ailment than antibiotics. In addition to speeding up your recovery time (even if only by a bit), this medication can lessen the chance of you spreading the disease to others.
If you believe you are suffering from strep throat, make an appointment with your primary care physician. From there, they can determine if you have this disease as well as which course of treatment is best for you.