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A high fever, poor appetite, swollen glands and above all else – the most sore throat imaginable. Having strep throat is miserable. You don’t have to let your body take care of it by itself. Here are a few tips on treatment.
 | Most commonly antibiotics are prescribed for 10
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Antibiotics
After 24 hours of first taking antibiotics you are no longer contagious. Antibiotics also reduce sore throat symptoms and shorten the length of the infection. Your throat will start to feel better anywhere between 24-36 hours after your first dose of antibiotics.
The most common antibiotic prescribed is penicillin. Erythromycin is the most common alternative to penicillin and is the best choice for people with a penicillin allergy. Other antibiotics work just as well if not better, such as cephalexin, cefadroxil, cefaclor, cefixime, cefprozil, cefurozime acetil, loracarbef, cefpodoxime, cefinir, amoxicillin, azithromycin and clarithromycin. Ask your doctor which is best for you.
Finish your prescription
Most commonly antibiotics are prescribed for 10 days. Even if you notice improvements in your sickness after a few days never stop taking your antibiotics until the prescription runs out. The bacterial infection can come back, immune to antibiotics, and serious infect your tonsils, heart and kidneys among other areas of the body.
Non-Prescription Drugs
If you delay starting antibiotics for a day or two you can give your body a chance to fight the infection itself. This allows you to build up immunity to strep throat and reduces the chances of becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Nonprescription medications are available over the counter to help relieve strep throat symptoms. Acetaminophen reduces your fever and helps lessen throat pain. Anesthetic throat spray and throat lozenges also help sooth your throat.
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