Strep is an infection that attacks your throat and tonsils. Strep refers to "group A streptococcus." It's named after the type of bacteria that causes the disease.
This condition is most common in children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 15, but strep can affect anyone. It spreads when you share fluids with someone who has it, like by drinking from the same glass or sharing utensils. Adults who work with kids or have children are more likely to contract it. If you’re not sure if you have strep throat, visit your doctor for a throat culture test. That's the only way to know for sure.
Strep comes on fast. You may go to bed feeling fine and wake up sick. Strep throat symptoms include:
- A sore, itchy throat
- White spots that appear on your tonsils
- Fever
- Pain when you swallow
- Swollen glands
- Headache
- Stomach pain or loss of appetite
Remedies and Treatments For Strep
Once you're diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that caused the infection. That usually takes 24 to 48 hours. In the meantime, these home remedies for strep throat can alleviate your symptoms:
Rest and Sleep
When you're sick, your body needs rest and sleep to fight the infection. Stay home from work, or if your child is sick, keep them home from school. Strep is easily spread and remains contagious until you've taken an antibiotic for 24 hours and no longer have a fever.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water and clear fluids to keep your body hydrated. Keep the throat moist to alleviate pain when swallowing.
Eat Soft and Soothing Food
Soup, applesauce, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, yogurt, or a smoothie are good options. The list is endless, as long as the food is soft and easy to swallow. Cold foods like ice cream or popsicles help soothe your sore throat. Stay away from spicy foods or acidic fruits like oranges.
Turn on a Humidifier
Breathing moist air can relieve discomfort. Cool-mist humidifiers are best, but be sure to clean them daily to prevent mold and bacteria from building up. A nasal saline spray helps too.
Gargle With Salt Water Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. Take a sip, lift your head back, and gargle the mixture in your throat to relieve pain. Remind your kids to spit out the water instead of swallowing it. Avoid Irritants Cigarettes, heavy perfumes, and cleaning products can further aggravate your throat and could even make the infection worse. Make sure the air in your home or bedroom is clean. Prescription Medications Strep throat is treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. If you're allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics will treat strep. A course of antibiotics will help decrease your symptoms and the amount of time you're sick. Medication wipes out the bad bacteria that caused the infection so you don't spread it to others and prevent certain complications, like rheumatic fever. If your child develops a fever and a sore throat, it might be strep. Until you know for sure, follow these steps to avoid spreading the infection: An over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller can alleviate symptoms and reduce your child's fever. Try a medication designed specifically for children, or check the bottle to determine the correct dosage. If you suspect strep throat, call a doctor immediately. Strep is contagious until you've been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. This means you should stay home from work, school, and daycare. Your doctor will perform one or two tests to diagnose strep. The first is called a rapid antigen test, and it can detect strep bacteria within minutes. If that test is negative, he or she might perform a throat culture. This involves swabbing the throat, then sending it out to a lab to detect bacteria. Remedies for Children
When to See Your Doctor
Strep can be dangerous if left untreated, so call your doctor right away. If strep bacteria spreads to other areas of the body, it can cause complications, including:
Strep throat, caused by bacteria, is one type of sore throat that can be treated. It isn't handled in the same way as sore throats caused by colds and other viruses, so your doctor will likely do what’s called a “rapid strep test” to be sure it's strep
If the test is positive (meaning you or your child has it), they’ll probably recommend:
- Antibiotics to kill the bacteria that’s causing it
- Rest to help you get better faster
- Over-the-counter medicines and home remedies to ease symptoms
Antibiotics
This class of drugs is able to kill the group A Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat. They will work only on bacteria. They have no effect on sore throats caused by viruses.
Antibiotics can:
- Relieve a sore throat and other symptoms when they are caused by strep
- Help your child get better faster
- Make it less likely it will be spread to others
- Help prevent complications such as sinus and tonsil infections, and more serious things such as rheumatic fever
Doctors most often prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin (Amoxil) to treat strep throat. They are the top choices because they're safer, inexpensive, and they work well on strep bacteria.
Kids or adults who are allergic to penicillin may be able to take one of these antibiotics instead:
- Azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak)
- Cephalosporins, including cefixime (Suprax), cefuroxime (Ceftin), and cephalexin (Keflex)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
Your child will take antibiotics by mouth one to three times each day. Sometimes doctors give this medicine as a shot.
Side effects
Antibiotics sometimes cause side effects, such as:
- Stomachache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Appetite loss
Usually these side effects are mild. They should stop once your child finishes the medicine. If they are severe or persist, then call your doctor.
People sometimes have an allergy to antibiotics, though it is rare. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- Wheezing
- Trouble breathing
- Rash
- Fast heartbeat
- Dizziness
Call your doctor right away if your child has these symptoms.
How long do I take them?
Most antibiotic treatments for strep throat last about 10 days. Kids usually feel better a day or two after they start them. Once they've been on these drugs for about 24 hours, they're no longer contagious and can go back to school. Even after kids start to feel better, they should finish all their pills. You can leave some bacteria alive if you stop too soon. If strep is not fully treated, it might lead to complications such as: When people stop taking antibiotics too soon, the bacteria that cause strep can become resistant to the medication. That means another case of strep would be much harder to control. Until the antibiotics start to work, these home treatments can help you or your child feel better: Steer clear of anything that might bother your throat, like cigarette smoke, paint fumes, or cleaning products.Strep Throat Home Care
SOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians: "IDSA Updates Guideline for Managing Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis," "Strep Throat."Show Sources
How can I get rid of strep throat fast?
Can strep throat go away on its own?
How quickly does strep go away?