Strep Throat Relief: Home Care and Medical Treatment

Strep throat (group A strep) is a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. Symptom relief while antibiotics work:

Home Remedies

• Rest and hydration (water, broth, electrolyte drinks).
• Pain/fever control: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Saltwater gargle: ½ tsp salt in 8 oz warm water, every 2–3 hours.
• Throat lozenges/sprays (benzocaine, menthol).
• Honey (1 tsp) for soothing and cough suppression.
• Humidifier or steam inhalation.
• Soft, cool foods (yogurt, applesauce, ice cream).

Medical Essentials

• Antibiotics: Penicillin/amoxicillin 10 days (or azithromycin if allergic). Complete the course.
• Contagious until 24h on antibiotics.

Red Flags (Seek Care Immediately)

• Difficulty breathing/swallowing
• Drooling, muffled voice (peritonsillar abscess)
• Rash (scarlet fever)
• Joint pain, dark urine (post-strep glomerulonephritis)
• Fever >103°F persisting >48h on antibiotics

Untreated strep risks rheumatic fever (heart damage) and kidney inflammation.