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Anyone who has ever had strep throat knows that once you get it, you will do almost anything to make it go away. Here are some steps to take to ensure your suffering is for as short a duration as possible.
See your doctor
At the first sign of strep throat see your doctor because, unlike other sore throats which are caused by viruses, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. Medication can help the symptoms clear up more quickly and reduce the amount of time you're contagious.
Regardless of how quickly the symptoms disappear, however, be sure you finish your whole prescription so you don't leave super bacteria behind who might be resistant to the antibiotics if you develop strep throat again.
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Plug in a humidifier
A humidifier won't cure your strep, but it can help alleviate the pain caused by dry mucous membranes. The Mayo Clinic suggests using a cool-mist humidifier, which you should clean daily to keep bacteria and mold from growing. In addition, you should avoid irritants that might inflame your throat further, including smoke, paint fumes, cleaning chemicals and any allergens which normally irritate your throat.
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Gargle with salt water or apple cider vinegar
A common strep throat remedy is to gargle salt water (being careful not to swallow it). Stir up to a teaspoon of salt into an eight ounce glass of warm water, gargle with it for several seconds, and spit. When possible, repeat hourly as long as symptoms last.
An alternative to salt water which might be slightly more palatable is apple cider vinegar. Food.com suggests stirring a tablespoon of real apple cider vinegar into eight ounces of water, gargling it and then spitting it out. Then, "Immediately take another tablespoon of the mixture, gargle and swallow it," says the recipe.
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Throw away your toothbrush
Anything that goes in or near your mouth at this time carries a potentially contagious dose of strep throat bacteria. It's even possible to reinfect yourself through such things as your toothbrush, a washcloth or a handkerchief. Wikihow says that 24 hours after starting antibiotics, you should throw away your toothbrush. You should also wash your hands as often as possible and use disposable tissues and paper towels for wiping your nose and mouth.
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Try some garlic tea
It's important to stay hydrated when you have any type of infection. Good hydration helps your immune system function better, which in turn leads to quicker recovery time. For strep throat, some people swear by the powers of garlic, and livestrong.com has even published a recipe for garlic tea.
The side effects, unfortunately, include a bad aftertaste and lingering bad breath, but Livestrong cited authors Michael Tierra and John Lust who say the more garlic you use, the quicker the infection will clear up.
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Obviously, these home remedies may not work every time for every person. When all else fails one may choose to turn to antibiotics to find the relief they seek. You may find that you are eligible to participate in a clinical study on strep throat antibiotics. For more information on such studies, visit jeanbrownresearch.com.
