Talk With Your Doctor
If you have strep throat, your doctor will prescribe the antibiotic they think is most appropriate for you. In most cases, this would be penicillin or amoxicillin. However, some people are prescribed a Z-Pack or generic azithromycin.
If you have further questions about either medication, be sure to ask your doctor. Your questions might include:
- Is this the best drug to treat my strep throat?
- Am I allergic to penicillin or amoxicillin? If so, are there any other drugs I should avoid?
- What should I do if my throat still hurts after I finish my medication?
- What can I do to relieve my sore throat while I wait for the antibiotic to work?
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Are There Home Remedies For Strep Throat
In most cases, antibiotics quickly eliminate strep throat bacteria. However, while youre taking your prescribed medications, these simple tips can help relieve some symptoms of strep throat:
Get plenty of rest: Sleep is how your body can fight off the disease. If you have strep throat, get all the rest you can. If your child is sick, keep them at home until theres no sign of fever, theyve used their antibiotic for at least 24 hours, and they feel well enough to return.
Drink plenty of water: A lubricated throat doesnt hurt as much. It can make swallowing easier and prevents dehydration.
Eat soft foods: Eat foods you can swallow easily. Options like broths, soups, applesauce, mashed potatoes, soft fruits, yogurt, and soft-cooked eggs are great. You can eat puree foods as well. Cold foods like frozen yogurt, fruit pops, or even ice cream can be soothing. Limiting spicy or acidic foods like orange juice will also help reduce discomfort.
Gargle with salt water: For older children and adults, gargling multiple times daily eases throat pain. Pour 1/4 teaspoon of table salt into eight ounces of warm water. Just be sure to spit out the liquid when youre done.
Honey: You can also use honey to soothe sore throats. However, this is only for those at least 12 months and older.
Stave off irritants: Cigarette smoke and fumes from cleaning products or paint can irritate the throat and lungs and even increase the likelihood of tonsillitis.
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?
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What Are The Recommended Dosages Of Antibiotics Used To Treat Strep Throat
Antibiotic dosages can vary depending on age and weight. The CDC recommends the following dosages of antibiotics for Strep throat, for those people without a penicillin allergy. One dosage regimen should be chosen that is appropriate for the person being treated.
Oral Penicillin V
- Children: 250mg twice daily or 250mg three times daily for 10 days
- Adolescents and adults: 250mg four times daily or 500mg twice daily for 10 days
Oral amoxicillin
- Children and adults: 50 mg/kg once daily for 10 days
- Children and adults: 25 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days
Intramuscular Benzathine penicillin G
- Children < 27 kg: 600 000 units as a single dose
- Children and adults 27 kg: 1 200 000 units as a single dose
The CDC recommends the following dosages of antibiotics for Strep throat, for those people with a penicillin allergy. One dosage regimen should be chosen that is appropriate for the person being treated.
- Oral cephalexin 20 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days
- Oral cefadroxil 30 mg/kg once daily for 10 days
- Oral clindamycin 7 mg/kg three times daily for 10 days
- Oral azithromycin 12 mg/kg once daily for the first day , followed by 6 mg/kg once daily for the next 4 days
- Oral clarithromycin 7.5 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days.
Comparison With Other Studies
Previous studies have compared long treatment regimens with short treatment regimens with the same daily dosage.111920212326 In this study, we took into account that the efficacy of lactam antibiotics is dependent on time above the minimum inhibitory concentration. A similar total daily dose but more frequent dosing regimen would give longer time above the minimum inhibitory concentration and would be more aggressive, therefore treatment would not need to be as long.13 Interestingly, the sensitivity analysis at fixed time points after randomisation supports the hypothesis that more frequent dosing favours faster resolution of symptoms. However, this difference between the treatment groups equals out towards the test of cure visit, when both groups have been without antibiotic protection for about a week. Therefore, patients with shorter treatment duration might be at slightly higher risk of having an early relapse and need additional antibiotic treatment. It is important to bear in mind that this sensitivity analysis is based on patients self assessment of cure rather than physicians clinical judgment at test of cure. Additionally, the five day group diaries had a larger portion of missing data than the 10 day group diaries.
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The Benefits Of Rapid Testing
Due to the damaging effects of unnecessary antibiotic use on both the environment and human health, proper Strep throat management and testing is critical. Rapid testing is the most efficient and effective way to quickly diagnose Strep throat. Once Strep throat is diagnosed, it can be easily treated with a course of antibiotics, like penicillin.
Recent developments in testing capabilities have led to rapid testing methods that can detect a Strep throat infection in a matter of minutes. There are two testing methods widely used to diagnose a Strep throat infection: throat bacterial cultures and antigen-detection methods. Both tests can quickly and accurately detect a Strep throat infection whether the patient is symptomatic or not.
Strep Throat Treatment: Antibiotics And More
While uncomfortable, a sore throat on its own is not always cause for alarm and can often be treated with over-the-counter and home remedies.
But when accompanied by other symptoms, a scratchy, painful throat may be a sign of an infection.
If its strep throat, antibiotics can help, but if its a viral infection, antibiotic treatment not only doesnt work, it could cause unnecessary side effects.
Luckily, doctors can easily test for strep throat and recommend the appropriate treatment to help you feel better quickly.
In this article, Ill cover the causes, symptoms, and risks of strep throat, as well as how healthcare providers diagnose the infection.
Then Ill explain which antibiotics work to treat strep throat, how to prevent the infection, and when to see a doctor about your sore throat.
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Strep Throat Management And Treatment
Doctors cure strep throat with antibiotics. An antibiotic kills the harmful bacteria causing the infection. Physicians may prescribe antibiotics as pills or as a shot. Two of the most commonly used antibiotics to cure strep throat are amoxicillin and penicillin. However, some people are allergic to penicillin, and doctors will use an alternative in those cases.
If your child is sick with strep throat, the doctor may prescribe the antibiotics in liquid form. Patients will usually take the course of antibiotics for ten days. Be sure to follow your healthcare providers instructions and never stop taking medicine early. You or your child should finish the medication, even if they or you feel better. The bacteria can still be alive inside the body even if the patient feels okay.
What Are The Different Strains Of Strep
Streptococci is a bacterial infection divided into several groups: Group A streptococcus, Group B streptococcus, Group C streptococcus, and Group G streptococcus.
| Strain | Symptoms | |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Sometimes called GAS, tends to affect the throat and the skin. People may carry GAS in these areas yet not show any symptoms of illness. | A sore throat that comes on very quickly, pain when swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils, small red spots on the roof of the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck. |
| Group B | Also known as group B strep or GBS, is a type of bacteria that can cause illness in people of all ages, though it can be particularly severe in newborns, most commonly causing , pneumonia, and meningitis | In adults, the most common health issues caused by GBS include urinary tract infections, skin infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia, skin and soft-tissue infections, and bone and joint infections. |
| Group C & G | Group C and G strep most commonly live in animals such as horses and cattle and can spread to humans through raw milk or contact with these animals. | Persistent fever for > 7 days. Other respiratory tract infections reported include epiglottitis and sinusitis |
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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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Natural Remedy For Strep Throat
- 3 Tablespoons of raw, organic honey
- 3 to 5 Slightly crushed cloves of organic garlic
- 1/8 Teaspoon of Cayenne powder
Mix these together and take one teaspoon of this mixture every hour. Simply swallow the garlic cloves whole, you dont need to chew them. Continue making this mixture and eating a teaspoon of it every hour until your sore throat is completely gone. Dont drink or eat anything for at least 20 minutes afterwards so these ingredients can do their work on your throat.
This mixture is very soothing and even those who dont care for garlic will find that, when mixed with honey, it tastes pretty good and works super-fast. Many people with strep throat lose their voices and this should restore your voice in a matter of hours! This mixture might seem too simple to fight something as strong as strep throat, but its absolutely 100 percent effective.
Be sure that the honey you are using is real honey, raw and organic, the way nature intended it. A great deal of the stuff you buy at the store isnt honey at all, but some type of corn syrup with a bit of coloring and perhaps a couple drops of pollen. Raw honey has about 5,000 enzymes, 27 minerals, 22 amino acids and lots of antibacterial properties that will help to kill that strep throat dead it its tracks. Find out more everything you wanted to know about raw honey.
Cayenne pepper will bring fresh blood to the area to promote healing. Its also high in vitamin C, which supports the immune system.
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Usual Adult Dose For Mycoplasma Pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia:Oral:-Immediate-release: 500 mg orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg orally once a day on days 2 to 5-Extended-release: 2 g orally once as a single doseParenteral: 500 mg IV once a day as a single dose for at least 2 days, followed by 500 mg orally to complete a 7- to 10-day course of therapyComment: Extended-release formulations should be taken on an empty stomach.Uses:-Treatment of mild community acquired pneumonia due to Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients appropriate for oral therapy-Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia due to C pneumoniae, H influenzae, Legionella pneumophila, Moraxella catarrhalis, M pneumoniae, or S pneumoniae in patients who require initial IV therapy
Why Does Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease Occur
Invasive group A streptococcal infections occur when the bacteria gets past the defenses of the person who is infected. This may occur when a person has sores or other breaks in the skin that allow the bacteria to get into the tissue. Health conditions that decrease a person’s immunity to infection also make invasive disease more likely. In addition, there are certain strains of GAS that are more likely to cause severe disease than others. The reason why some strains will cause more severe illness is not totally clear but may involve the production of substances that cause shock and organ damage and of enzymes that cause tissue destruction.
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Management Of Recurrent Gabhs Pharyngitis
RADT is effective for diagnosing recurrent GABHS infection. In patients treated within the preceding 28 days, RADT has similar specificity and higher sensitivity than in patients without previous streptococcal infection .38 Recurrence of GABHS pharyngitis within one month may be treated using the antibiotics listed in Table 3.2,1720,2834 Intramuscular penicillin G injection is an option when oral antibiotics were initially prescribed.
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 very 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, the bacteria often spread to other people in their household.
Infectious illnesses tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather. Crowded settings 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
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Some Antibiotics Your Doctor Might Prescribe For Strep Include:
- Penicillin Unless youre allergic, penicillin is the best antibiotic for sore throat infection. The most common side effects of penicillin include nausea and vomiting.
- Amoxicillin A broad-spectrum form of penicillin, amoxicillin, may be more effective and convenient for some patients. A single daily dose of amoxicillin may be just as effective as multiple doses of penicillin taken in a day. However, amoxicillin can more commonly cause skin rash and gastrointestinal problems.
- Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium Amoxycillin clavulanate potassium is more frequently used to treat recurring cases of strep throat. Marketed as, amoxicillin clavulanate potassium is resistant to degradation or damage caused by waste products, such as beta-lactamase created by Streptococcus. The main side effect of amoxicillin clavulanate potassium is diarrhea.
- Azithromycin Azithromycin is best used for those who are allergic penicillin or have tried penicillin with no results.
- Clarithromycin Clarithromycin goes by the brand name Biaxin and may act as a good alternative for those with penicillin allergies.
- Clindamycin Clindamycin is effective for those who are allergic to penicillin or have a case of strep throat that is resistant to penicillin.
- Cefdiner Branded as Omnicef, research suggests that a 5-day course of cefdinir treatment is equal to a 10-day regimen with penicillin.
Should We Treat Strep Throat With Antibiotics
I congratulate Drs Worrall, Hutchinson, Sherman, and Griffiths on their research article in the April 2007 issue of Canadian Family Physician.1 They compared rapid antigen detection tests and clinical examination for differentiating sore throats of viral and bacterial etiology. They concluded that use of rapid antigen detection kits in primary care settings could reduce the prescribing rate of antibiotics for sore throats.
An equally interesting question is, Why do we treat sore throats with antibiotics at all?
As mentioned in the article, symptoms caused by a bacterial sore throat fail to clear much faster when treated with antibiotics than they would if left alone.
Do we treat to prevent rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis? There is no convincing evidence that, for the Western world, treating streptococcal sore throats with penicillin prevents either of these conditions. Common sense might tell us that if we were to consider the number of patients who do not visit their doctors when they have sore throats and the cases of bacterial sore throats that do not receive antibiotics because we misdiagnose them as viral, there must be thousands of cases of untreated strep throat every year in this country alone. Should we then not be seeing more rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis?
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What Antibiotic Is Used For Strep Throat Treatment And Management
- Oyewale Oyelami
Do You Have Strep Throat? You might have strep throat if youre dealing with a painful throat, feeling rundown, and even a fever. But how do you know when its strep and not a virus? Suppose you have it what antibiotic is used for strep throat? This article discusses this bacterial infection and how antibiotics treat it.
