Home Remedies for Strep Throat?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have home some remedies to get rid of strep throat? I take ibuprofen to help with the swallowing pain and it works but I have to take 6 a day for it to be effective. My lymph nodes are very sore, too. Please help.

[snoflakefaerie]

You need to see a doctor to determine if it's strep/bacterial infection or a viral infection. The test is quick and easy, you can get it done at CVS or Walgreens clinic if you can't get in to your primary care doctor. If it's strep the only way to treat it is with antibiotics which you need to do before it progresses to a more serious issue.

In the meantime, I agree with throat coat sprays like Cepacol. I also find peppermint tea, or chamomile with honey and lemon can help. Also a hot toddy can do wonders to kill the pain.

[AbbiMarieee]

Like others have said, see your primary (or stop by an urgent care) to determine if this is bacterial or viral in nature and possibly get some abx to prevent further complications. In terms of soothing the symptoms with otc stuff, try an herbal tea with slippery elm (I think Yogi tea makes a blend). It seems to coat a sore throat pretty well. Hope you feel better!

[WinglessOne]

@Anonymous  If you haven’t seen a doc yet and you’re popping that much ibuprofen daily, definitely go get an antibiotic if you can. (Strep is a bacterial infection.) Strep can lead to super fun things like rheumatic fever if left untreated. 

Last time I had strep, an antibiotic knocked it out within 2 weeks. During that time, I drank lots of water to keep my throat from drying out, gargled salt water, ate lots of sorbet and ice cream 😂, and avoided acidic foods and drinks. I also quarantined myself because strep is very contagious, and I cleaned everything at home I’d touched while sick, so as not to reinfect myself or spread my lingering cooties to the outside world. 

I hope you get over it soon! 

[itscarin]

@Anonymous Just take an otc drug like Sudafed. I never take aspirin or any other otcs unless I’m actually sick— like congested. There’s no prize for using homeopathic remedies. 

I’d also say that laryngitis is viral, not bacterial, so an antibiotic won’t do you any good. That’s why it’s a waste of time to see the dr for something like this. They won’t be able to prescribe you anything. 

You can also try some of the “throat coat” teas. There are various brands that sell teas for sore throats. They help a little. 

if you’re in serious pain (taking 6 aspirin a day) perhaps you should see a doctor. You could have thrush which would require penicillin. 

[Danzie89]

Go to the doctor and get an antibiotic. You’ll feel much better within 24 hours or so, @Anonymous!