Strep Throat Treatment
Nobody wants to be faced with strep throat treatment, however, it is nice to know that there are several methods of dealing with this disease.
Since strep throat is caused by a bacteria, it is best treated with an antibiotic such as penicillin. Some doctors have moved away from prescribing penicillin, due to treatment failures, and instead rely on other commonly used antibiotics such as Amoxicillin and Cephalexin.
It is best to rely on antibiotic treatment due to the complications that can occur if the disease is given a chance to worsen. With antibiotics, results are typically seen within 24 to 48 hours. Furthermore, this goes a long way in making the infected person less contagious, meaning that the infection will not spread from one person to another.
Other benefits of antibiotic treatment for strep throat include:
- Decreased risk of complications
- Reduce the severity of symptoms
- Reduce the duration of symptoms
Note: even if you begin to feel better before you take the entire course of antibiotics, be sure to stick with the treatment until finished.
As long as you are using an antibiotic as your primary course of treatment, there are several home remedies you can consider as well. These include:
- Saltwater gargle. Gargling several times per day can help eliminate the pain associated with strep throat, allowing for a quicker recovery time.
- Raw honey blend. Not only does this provide pain relief, but many believe it has the ability to kill the bacteria as well.
- Sucking on hard candy. A painful, sore throat is the most common symptom of strep throat. By sucking on hard candy or lozenges this symptom can be alleviated.
Anybody who believes they are suffering from strep throat should immediately visit their doctor for a rapid strep test and throat culture. If tested positive, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed to fight against the bacteria, alleviate symptoms, and help fight against spreading the disease.