Do You Have To Get Antibiotics For Strep Throat
In light of the fact that every round of antibiotics potentially damages the gut in a manner than can never be 100% repaired, I think questioning the automatic use of antibiotics for every single case of strep is worth consideration. While some people clearly need meds, they are not necessary for everyone even if the suggestion may seem ludicrous at first.
The complications of strep throat are, after all, extremely serious. However, they are also rare especially for a healthy person with no autoimmune issues. Scarlet fever, inflammation of the kidney, or rheumatic fever which could permanently damage the heart are all remote possibilities.
I dated a guy in high school who was deaf in one ear from Scarlet fever . I am in no way kidding myself about how serious complications from strep throat can be by questioning whether antibiotics are truly needed for this type of infection.
The Truth Of Using Antibiotics For Strep Throat
As we have cited previously that more and more people are shifting to another way to treat strep throat, instead of antibiotics. If it is true, why antibiotics are supposed to be the fastest method for strep throat to recover, it is causing doubts about its necessity. Then, a question has been raised Are antibiotics necessary?
How Do You Know You Have Strep Throat
So far, we have answered the following questions- what is strep throat, is strep throat contagious, what is incubation period and the like.
Now, let us explore the various symptoms of strep throat. It is always beneficial to start early treatment.
Before we look at the symptoms, it is important to note that the incubation period for strep throat is between one and five days after exposure to the bacteria causing infection.
Common symptoms of strep throat are:
- A sore throat is one of the most common and earliest signs of a strep throat
- Fever is also a common symptom
- Whitish or yellow pus areas on the tonsils and throat
- You may also experience a mild headache if a strep throat infection is beginning to develop
- Some people even experience muscle pain, and body aches as strep throat symptoms
- In some cases, nausea and vomiting are also symptoms
- A runny nose, constant sneezing, and coughing are also signs that an infection in the throat may be beginning to develop
When another family member or co-worker has been diagnosed with strep throat, and you develop a sore throat or fever, these could be early symptoms of the same infection.
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What Causes Strep Throat
Strep throat, also known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is caused by bacteria called group Astreptococcus, or Streptococcus pyogenes, which can seed the nose and throat.
You can get the infection from someone who is sick with strep, as it spreads through close contact with saliva.
Symptoms, which include fever, sore throat, red tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, typically begin one to three days after exposure and last seven to 10 days.
Causes & Symptoms Of Strep Throat
Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils. Its caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, also called group A strep. The group A strep bacteria is very contagious. It spreads through contact after an infected person coughs, sneezes, touches your mouth, nose or eyes. The bacteria also spreads by sharing a glass, utensil, plate or even a doorknob. This is why strep throat seems to happen more often in the colder months when people tend to be in closer quarters.
Strep throat symptoms typically start within five days of exposure to the strep bacteria symptoms include :
- Sore throat and difficulty swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Red spots on the roof of the mouth and a white or yellow coating on the throat and tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above
- Headache and body aches
- Non-itching, red rash, which is a sign of scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is a serious bacterial infection.
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Death By Virus: C Diff May Have A Natural Enemy
C. diff is one of the natural microbes found in your gut, but chronic antibiotic use can make it go haywire. Its also one of the many superbugs turning up at hospitals. It caused 14,000 deaths and 250,000 hospitalizations between 2005 and 2011, according to the CDC.
Specialists at the University of Leicester and AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation have found phages, viruses that eat bacteria, to specifically target C. diff. They work by attaching to bacteria as a host, injecting their DNAwhich replicatesand causing the bacterial cell to burst open.
Researchers say these phages are effective against 90 percent of the most clinically relevant C. diff strains in the United Kingdom.
The key advantage of using phages over antibiotics lies in their specificity. A phage will infect and kill only a specific strain or species of bacteria. This is particularly important when treating conditions like C. diff infections, where maintenance of the natural balance of gut bacteria greatly reduces the chance of relapse, Dr. Martha Clokie, from the University of Leicesters Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, said in a statement.
AmpliPhi is funding the development of these C. diff phages and hopes to have a mixture ready for clinical trials soon.
Overuse Of Antibiotics Hinder The Bodys Ability To Fight Off Infections
If theyre unnecessary, why doctors prescribe with them for these conditions. To explain this controversy, David H. Newman, MD revealed that not only doctors but also patients are always looking for antibiotics. The reason is that instead of spending ten minutes or thereabouts to talk about how our bodies should fight those bacteria and infection on their own, it is much easier to prescribe with antibiotics.
In the meanwhile, antibiotics are considered to cause some unexpected outcomes. We need to fully understand that treating the infection with too many antibiotics at too many times will lead to the situation of antibiotic resistance.
To be more particular, if you use antibiotics for the very first time, it is helpful for that infection to recover quickly. However, the effectiveness does not work for the fifth or the sixth time, for example.In this case, germs and bacteria have developed their immunity to the increased use of antibiotics. Thats why the overuse of antibiotics will prevent your body from staying healthy.
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My Experience With Untreated Strep Throat
My serious doubts about the wisdom of using antibiotics for strep throat go back to my one and only experience with this infection the summer I turned 15. Strep was by far the worst sore throat Ive ever had and the pain when I swallowed was almost unbearable to endure.
My Father, a Family Physician, made the decision not to put me on any antibiotics and let me ride it out under my own power. My Dad wasnt into herbs or anything so I didnt have any alternative treatments administered either.
The infection lasted over a week my memory remembers a full two weeks but it might have been a few days shy of that.
I lost several pounds during that illness as I could only endure swallowing liquids the entire time. I pretty much subsisted on vanilla milkshakes from the ice cream shop down the road for the duration of that awful infection and I still got well under my own power with no complications.
The interesting thing is thatI seem to have developed an immunity to strep ever since. Ive never had strep throat ever again in 35+ years. This is despite repeated exposures at close range. During college, I even had a roommate with strep and didnt get sick. This despite eating pretty rotten cafeteria food and lots of sugary foods. This no doubt suppressed my immune function considerably.
Is it possible that allowing the body to fight off strep throat naturally on its own confers partial or total immunity?
Why?
How Can I Avoid Getting Strep Throat
To steer clear of strep throat and its unpleasant symptoms, follow a couple of simple yet effective practices in your day-to-day life. First and foremost, wash your hands regularly. It doesnt need to be antibacterial soap, says Moore. Regular soap and water can wash away all the potential germs responsible for spreading strep throat. Moore also encourages people to avoid sharing drinks or foods with one another, even among family members.
If you already have strep throat symptoms or have been diagnosed with strep throat, keep in mind that you are typically most contagious when you have a fever. Once you have started taking antibiotics, the general rule of thumb is 24 hours or two doses of antibiotics for most prescriptions before you are no longer contagious, says Moore. As is the case when trying to escape strep throat, handwashing and avoiding close contact with other people are key to be sure you dont spread your strep infection.
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Natural Remedies For Strep Throat
Honey
Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, honey is an effective way to treat pain, inflammation, and infection. Since it quickly fights bacteria, it will relieve your strep throat symptoms in an instant.
Vitamin C- Lemon
Vitamin C has powerful antibacterial properties which successfully treat the infection and relieve the pain in your throat. Since lemons are packed with this vitamin, they are a perfect addition to your tea, together with some honey.
Essential Oils
When it comes to treating strep throat, essential oils can be quite useful. To prepare a home remedy for strep throat, you can use grapefruit, lemon, thyme, lemongrass, cinnamon, or lavender essential oil.
Just add a few drops of the oil you choose in some water and heat. Then, do a steam inhalation using the steam from the solution for about 10-15 minutes. You can repeat this treatment multiple times a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the most effective natural remedies for fighting infections is apple cider vinegar. This type of vinegar has various uses and benefits, and treating strep throat is one of them. Add three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of warm water, and stir well. Gargle with this solution and youll soon notice positive results.
Cayenne Pepper
As you can see, there are other effective and much safer ways to treat your strep throat besides antibiotics. Using some of them will help you solve your throat problem in a simple and natural way.
Natural Remedies For Strep Throat Without Antibiotics
If you say no to antibiotics, and here we will show you some home remedies to treat your strep throat. In fact, antibiotics have their downsides, so natural remedies are preferred in most cases. Keep up with the article and lets find out the best way to make this bacterial infection go away on its own.
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What Is Strep Throat Caused By
Strep throat is a painful infection in the throat caused by streptococcal bacteria. This type of bacteria is extremely contagious and can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or sharing food and drinks. If your child touches a surface with the bacteria, like a doorknob, and then touches their mouth or nose, the bacteria may also spread this way. Often, a person may be carrying strep without exhibiting any symptoms.
What Else Do You Need To Make Your Decision
Check the facts
- You’re right. Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Most of the time, sore throats go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
- You’re right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Taking antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them can be harmful and costly. The medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
- Sorry, that’s not right. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
- You’re right. Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. Antibiotics won’t work for sore throats caused by a virus.
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What Are The Treatments For Strep Throat
Strep throat, caused by bacteria, is one type of sore throat that can be treated. It isnt handled in the same way as sore throats caused by colds and other viruses, so your doctor will likely do whatâs called a ârapid strep testâ to be sure its strep
If the test is positive , theyâll probably recommend:
- Antibiotics to kill the bacteria thatâs causing it
- Rest to help you get better faster
- Over-the-counter medicines and home remedies to ease symptoms
By Coastal Urgent Care Baton Rouge
In the United States, there are between 11,000 to 13,000 cases of strep throat each year.
Strep throat is an infection that is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. It is infectious and spread through respiratory droplets. That means you can catch strep throat by breathing it in, touching something with droplets on it and then touching your face, or if you eat or drink after an infected person.
You should never have strep throat left untreated. Strep throat requires antibiotics to go away and left untreated, can worsen into other problems.
Curing A Viral Infection
Antibiotics are useless against viral infections. This is because viruses are so simple that they use their host cells to perform their activities for them. So antiviral drugs work differently to antibiotics, by interfering with the viral enzymes instead.Antiviral drugs are currently only effective against a few viral diseases, such as influenza, herpes, hepatitis B and C and HIV but research is ongoing. A naturally occurring protein, called interferon , can now be produced in the laboratory and is used to treat hepatitis C infections.
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Children And Certain Adults Are At Increased Risk
Anyone can get strep throat, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this common infection.
Strep throat is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. It is rare in children younger than 3 years old. Adults who are at increased risk for strep throat include:
- Parents of school-aged children
- Adults who are often in contact with children
Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor for illness. For example, if someone has strep throat, it often spreads to other people in their household.
Infectious illnesses tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather together. Crowded conditions can increase the risk of getting a group A strep infection. These settings include:
- Schools
- Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat
- About 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep throat
How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
A sinus infection occurs when the nasal cavities become infected. Triggered by a virus or bacteria, this infection is often mistaken for the common cold â although a sinus infection lasts much longer. Symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, headache and facial pain.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Most of the time, antibiotics are not necessary to treat sinus infections because the cause is viral and the infection clears up on its own. Although there is no home remedy that can cure a sinus infection, the following steps may improve comfort and ease symptoms while your body does its job fighting the infection.
Tips
Home treatment may work to ease symptoms as your body recovers from a viral infection, but if you have a bacterial infection, youâll need antibiotic treatment.
The best way to tell the difference is to pay attention to symptom duration. For instance, viral sinus infections tend to get better after five to seven days, while bacterial sinus infections tends to last longer, and may worsen after a week.
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Is A Sore Throat A Bacterial Infection
Pulmonitis is often caused by viruses like the flu or the cold if it is sore. As soon as you are plagued by a sore throat, you should clear it up by yourself. It is important to treat sore throats, such as sore throats caused by bacteria , using antibiotics to prevent complications if they are not treated with antibiotics.
What Is A Sore Throat
Sore throats can be painful and annoying. But most of the time they go away on their own. It may take a few days or up to a week, depending on the cause.
Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold. A bacterial infection can also cause a sore throat.
If you have a sudden, severe sore throat without coughing, sneezing, or other cold symptoms, you could have strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. About 1 out of 10 sore throats in adults is caused by strep throat. This means that 9 out of 10 sore throats aren’t strep.
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