Strep Throat Do You Need Antibiotics

What Are The Risks Of Taking Antibiotics For Sore Throat

Antibiotics may cause side effects, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rashes.

Besides side effects, there are other good reasons not to use antibiotics unless you really need them.

• Antibiotics cost money.
• You will probably have to see the doctor to get a prescription. This costs you time.
• If you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, they may not work when you do need them. Each time you take antibiotics, you are more likely to carry some bacteria that were not killed by the medicine. Over time, these bacteria get tougher and can cause longer and more serious infections. To treat them, you may need different, stronger, and more costly antibiotics.

Do Patients With Strep Throat Need To Be Treated With Antibiotics

Background: Streptococcal pharyngitis is a common presentation to primary care and Emergency Department physicians. Every year, 10 million patients in the United States are treated with antibiotics for pharyngitis. However, less than 10% of these patients actually have strep pharyngitis . Prescribing of antibiotics for these patients centers on three arguments:

So, do patients with strep throat need to be treated with antibiotics?

While treatment of strep throat seems relatively benign, there are significant harms that need to be considered:

This means that out of 10 million patients treated with antibiotics, as many as 24,000 of them will have fatal or near-fatal allergic reactions.

Thus, its important to determine if the benefits of antibiotic treatment outweigh the risks.

What Can Make My Sore Throat Feel Better

Here are some things that might help you feel better:

• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain and reduce fever. Children should not take aspirin. Aspirin can cause a serious illness called Reyes syndrome when it is given to children younger than 18 years of age.
• Gargle with warm salt water .
• Adults and older children can suck on throat lozenges, hard candy, pieces of ice, or popsicles.
• Eat soft foods and drink cool drinks or warm liquids .
• Get plenty of rest. Sleep helps your body fight infection.
• Drink plenty of water. This helps keep your throat lubricated and helps prevent dehydration.
• Avoid acidic or spicy foods and drinks .

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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.

Consequences Of Untreated Strep Throat

Strep throat is self-limiting and can resolve itself within a week if left untreated by antibiotics. But this can result in serious complications. And you could spread the strep infection to others children are especially vulnerable.

What can happen if strep throat is left untreated? There are some serious complications of untreated strep infection. These complications are uncommon but are important for you to know when weighing the risks.

Complications include:

• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome¹³
• PANDAS

PANDAS may develop in children with untreated strep throat. PANDAS results in sudden-onset OCD, aggressive behaviors, ADHD-like symptoms, Tourette-like symptoms, and possibly more.

Untreated PANDAS may follow children into adulthood.

If you suspect that your child might have PANDAS, you can book an appointment by clicking here. We are also happy to speak with you at 989-8463, Monday-Thursday, from 8AM 5PM Eastern time.

We are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of children with PANS and PANDAS even helping our own daughter to overcome PANDAS a few years ago. Our office provides the best care in Indiana for PANS and PANDAS. We also see patients from across the country. The first visit must be in the office but often follow-ups may be done remotely. If you are unable to travel, you may be able to find a physician near you at the PANDAS Physician Network.

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How Antibiotics Treat Strep Throat

Antibiotics is a class of drugs that kills the group A Streptococcus bacteria- mainly responsible for strep throat. This type of medicine works only on bacteria. Hence, strep throat caused by viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics.

The medicine cures strep throat by-

• Relieving sore throat and other associated symptoms that occur during strep throat
• Making it less contagious to others
• Preventing complications such as sinusitis and problems in the tonsils as well as rheumatic fever

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. 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?

In view of the large number of antibiotics prescribed for sore throats, perhaps it is time to review whether we should be using such treatment for strep throat infections at all.

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How Long Does Strep Throat Last

Strep throat will only last 3 to 7 days with or without treatment. Doctors usually treat strep throat with antibiotics even though they will not make you well any faster. Strep throat contagiousness will continue for 24 hours once antibiotics are started. With no treatment, strep throat continues to be contagious until symptoms resolve.

In response to the persistent overuse of antibiotics for strep throat, the journalCanadian Family Physician states:

symptoms caused by a bacterial sore throat fail to clear much faster when treated with antibiotics than they would if left alone.

It is certainly easier and quicker to hand out prescriptions every time than to explain and reassure. Each time we do this, however, we reinforce patients fears.

Do family physicians have to declare a conflict of interest in answering these questions? If we were to lower ourselves to examining the vulgar subject of money, it is certainly in our financial interest to keep many patients scared enough to rush to our offices whenever they get sore throats.

In view of the large number of antibiotics prescribed for sore throats, perhaps it is time to review whether we should be using such treatment for strep throat infections at all.

Personal Stories About Taking Antibiotics For Sore Throat

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

I was sick a lot as a kid, and I was always taking medicine. Maybe it helped at the time. But in the past few years, when I’ve gotten a bad sore throat or sinus infection, antibiotics haven’t worked. I’ve had to try two or three different ones each time. That gets expensive. The next time I get a sore throat, I’m going to try just staying home, resting, and taking care of myself instead of taking antibiotics.

Jesse, 34

My 8-year-old daughter got strep throat last month. I thought it was just a cold, and I kept her home from school for a few days. But she wasn’t getting better and she felt so miserable. I was also worried about ear infections. She gets a lot of those too. The doctor did a strep test and suggested she take antibiotics. Amy started feeling better a few days later. I think antibiotics were the right way to go this time.

My insurance doesn’t pay for all of my medicines, so I try to make sure I really need the ones I do take. The last time I had a bad cold, my throat got really sore. The pain made it hard for me to swallow. I called my doctor’s office and the nurse said I could come in if I felt I needed a prescription. I thought I’d wait and see instead. I took ibuprofen and drank a lot of tea and honey, and in a few days I felt better. I’m glad I didn’t spend the money on a doctor visit and medicine.

Esther, 42

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How You Get Strep Throat

Group A strep live in the nose and throat and can easily spread to other people. It is important to know that some infected people do not have symptoms or seem sick. People who are infected spread the bacteria by coughing or sneezing, which creates small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria.

People can get sick if they:

• Breathe in those droplets
• Touch something with droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose
• Drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as a sick person
• Touch sores on the skin caused by group A strep

Rarely, people can spread group A strep through food that is not handled properly . Experts do not believe pets or household items, like toys, spread these bacteria.

Can You Tell Me Which Kind Of Viruses Cause Pular Throat

An infection with Group A streptococcus, the streppy throat, results from a bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes. It is contagious when you are infected with staphococcus bacteria. A person can catch a fever when coughing or sneezing, or by sharing food and drinks with someone who has the infection.

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Antibiotics Get You Well Fast

Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics. Either penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended as a first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin. Doctors can use other antibiotics to treat strep throat in people who are allergic to penicillin.

Benefits of antibiotics include:

• Preventing the bacteria from spreading to others
• Preventing serious complications like rheumatic fever

Someone who tests positive for strep throat but has no symptoms usually does not need antibiotics. They are less likely to spread the bacteria to others and very unlikely to get complications. If a carrier gets a sore throat illness caused by a virus, the rapid strep test can be positive. In these cases it can be hard to know what is causing the sore throat. If someone keeps getting a sore throat after taking the right antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier and have a viral throat infection. Talk to a doctor if you think you or your child may be a strep carrier.

Where Can You Get Strep In Your Body

In addition to affecting the throat, middle ear, sinuses, lungs, skin, internal organs under the skin, or blood vessels, these infections can also affect surrounding regions of the body. This disease can produce red and painful swollen tissues as well as outbreaks of scabby sores, sore throats, and a rash on the affected area.

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To Prevent Spreading The Infection:

14. Avoid Contact

As long as you have strep throat symptoms, dont sneeze or cough on others in order to stop the bacteria from spreading. Do not share glasses, utensils, plates or food with anyone for two weeks. Use a powerful and natural soap, like castile soap, to wash your dishes and the surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen counter.

15. Wash Your Hands

Be sure to wash your hands throughout the day, especially if you are around other people. Use an antibacterial soap to get rid of any trace of group A strep. One example is this Homemade Hand Soapwith castile soap and peppermint oil.

16. Replace Your Toothbrush

Replace your toothbrush when you first show symptoms of strep throat and then again after you are well. This will help you to avoid reinfecting yourself with another group A strep infection.

Can Strep Make You Throw Up

There are many signs and symptoms of strep throat, including headache pain in the temples or back. You may also experience nausea or vomiting with this infection high fever is not uncommon either! The CDC reports that if you dont have a cough along side these other two components then it could indicate something else-like viral pneumonia for example .

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Can Strep Throat Be Prevented Or Avoided

Strep throat is very contagious. It can be hard to protect yourself when you are around people who are infected with strep throat. Try to avoid people who have strep, when possible. If you must be around someone who has strep throat, be sure to wash your hands frequently. Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Why Do Natural Antibiotics Not Work For Strep Throat

Some people claim that natural antibiotics are enough to treat a strep throat and that our immunity can deal with streptococci alone.

Unfortunately, this is not true.

First of all, there are no scientific studies to confirm the efficacy of natural substances in the treatment of streptococcal infections, and it is important to realize that while antibiotics act directly on streptococci and other bacteria, natural medicines do not directly kill bacteria but rather support the immune system to fight the disease.

This, of course, can also help, but it does not stop bacteria from growing.

Healing takes longer than it should and there is a high risk of developing some serious and life-threatening complications of strep throat, such as rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.

To stop bacteria spreading you need to either kill the bacteria or prevent their growth.

Natural substances cannot do the trick and you need antibiotics.

The summary

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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.

How To Protect Others

• Everyone should wash hands often with soap or hand sanitizer. Good handwashing prevents the spread of infection.
• Cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Give your child a paper bag and have him put his used tissues in the bag. Moisture from the child’s nose and mouth is contagious.
• Do not share drinking cups or eating utensils.
• Throw away your child’s toothbrush and buy a new one as soon as the illness is over.
• Keep your child away from others for 24 hours after the medicine is started and until he has no fever.
• Tell the school nurse and your childs teacher that your child has strep throat. It is important for school personnel to know so that other parents can be told to watch for symptoms in their children.
• If anyone in the family gets a sore throat, he should be checked by a doctor to see if medical treatment is needed.

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Home Remedies For Strep Throat

Sore throat is not the same as for strep throat, as strep is a bacterial infection, yet many sore throat remedies can also help ease the symptoms of strep throat.

In addition to getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water, you can try the following home remedies, which are aimed at killing the bacteria that causes strep throat. Keep in mind, however, the only way to cure strep throat is with antibiotics.

Do I Need Antibiotics

It depends.

If you have or are likely to have strep, your doctor will treat you to help you get better sooner, stop you from transmitting strep to others, and also to prevent the rare occurrence of strep infection developing into complicationsâlike rheumatic fever, and heart, kidney, and nervous system disorders. Fortunately, those side effects are rare.

Even if you are starting to feel better from a sore throat that was caused by strep, you still need treatment to prevent these possible complications.

Your doctor will assess the risk that your sore throat is caused by strep, and decide if the chance is high and immediate treatment is warranted, or if you need testing to see if it is strep, or if it’s unlikely to be strep.

The main factors that make it more likely that a sore throat is caused by strep include: History of recent exposure to someone who tested positive for strep, fever more than 100.4 degrees F, tender swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and white exudate or spots on the throat or tonsils. If you have at least 2 of these risk factors, your doctor may decide to go ahead and treat you without doing a test, or before any test results are back.

One caveat is that if you have symptoms that suggest a viral infection â such as cough, runny nose, congestion, conjunctivitis, or sores in your mouth, then it is unlikely that your sore throat is caused by strep.

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