Strep throat is a kind of throat infection and is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is most common in children and adolescents, but it can affect people of all ages. Symptoms usually begin suddenly, and can include fever, sore throat, headache, nausea, chills etc. Here are some ways to deal with strep throat. Drink hot beverages Drink lot of water and preferably luke warm water as it will soothe the sore throat. Warm fluids usually stretch the muscles in the throat which in turn will decrease the pain and discomfort caused while coughing. Pepper is usually effective in curing sore throat and the best way to have it is to drink warm soups seasoned with freshly ground pepper. Avoid drinking cold beverages especially sodas and dairy products as they tend to aggravate the condition.
Take proper rest Avoid talking, shouting or singing as it will cause strain to your throat. Catch a good night’s sleep. When your body is well rested you will feel better and recover faster. It is important to sleep at least 9 to 10 hours a day till you recover. Once you start feeling better it is important to stay active and go ahead with your daily routine. Avoid laying in bed as it will only aggravate the cough. Try to sit upright as it will help in decreasing the congestion. Cough freely and avoid holding it as it will only make the condition worse. Bathing in hot water will help in relieving the congestion. Consult a doctor and take the required medication. If antibiotics are prescribed make sure you complete the dosage.
Home remedies One of the best treatment for sore throat is to gargle with warm water. It will help in soothing the sore throat and alleviating the pain. Honey, ginger, lemon and even pepper are effective in treating sore throat. You can take juice of a lemon and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey and drink. Ginger can provide temporary relief from sore throat and pain. So mix freshly squeezed ginger juice with honey and lemon juice. Allow this mixture to just trickle down your throat.
Take medical assistance It might be that the pain in strep throat is not so agonizing, but it is better to approach the nearby medical store and get hold of some common medicines which can help to minimize the pain. Try cough drops which can be more than enough to cure minor strep throat and help you get out of the irritating pain. In case of pains of stronger intensity, you might have to try some anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin or Advil. They can be really effective to cure the pain caused by strep throat but do not use it in case of children below 4 years of age.
Use humidifiers In strep throat, what causes the mucus membranes to get vexed is their getting dry. To prevent this you can adopt lots of steps and precautions. Try to take regular warm water shower in order to keep your body wet and moist. It can also help to clear the sinus which is mostly the cause of strep throat. You can also use the humidifiers available in the market to maintain humidity in your room. For the time you are laid down resting in your room, it will maintain moistness of the air around, hence comforting your strep throat.
Get properly tested If the medicines prescribed by the physician are not encouraging your recovery, probably you need to take an extra step towards getting properly treated from strep throat. Severe strep throat and its prolonged effect can be really harmful for children as well as adults. Go for a throat culture medical test which tests the seriousness of strep throat apart from analyzing whether it is the common sore throat or strep throat. It involves insertion of a sterilized cotton bowl into your mouth with the help of surgical tong. The cotton is wiped across your throat and then the sample is sent to laboratory for proper analysis. Based on the results, the antibiotics are prescribed, which last for around seven to ten days.
