STREP THROAT

Strep throat is bacterial infections that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats. If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. See your doctor for prompt testing and treatment.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:

Throat pain that usually comes on quickly

Painful swallowing

Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus

Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)

Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck.

Fever

Rash

Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children

Body aches

Many of these symptoms and indications may be present in you or your child without being strep throat. A viral infection or another sickness may be the source of these symptoms. Because of this, your doctor usually performs a specialised strep throat test. You can potentially come into contact with someone who has strep but doesn’t exhibit any symptoms.

When to see a doctor

If you or your kid exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right once.

A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands

A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours

A fever

A sore throat accompanied by a rash

Problems breathing or swallowing If strep has been diagnosed, a lack of improvement after taking antibiotics for 48 hours

Causes

Streptococcus pyogenes, often known as group A streptococcus, is the bacterium that causes strep throat.

The streptococcal bacteria spread readily. They can be spread through shared food or drinks, or through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be acquired via a doorknob or other surface and then transferred to your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Complications

Strep throat can lead to serious complications. Antibiotic treatment reduces the risk.

Spread of infection

Strep bacteria may spread, causing infection in:

Tonsils

Sinuses

Skin

Blood

Middle ear

 Inflammatory reactions

Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:

Scarlet fever, a streptococcal infection characterized by a prominent rash

Inflammation of the kidney (poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis)

Rheumatic fever, a serious inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin

Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the joints

Prevention

To prevent strep infection:

Wash your hands. 

The most effective method of preventing any infections is proper hand washing. Therefore, it’s crucial to periodically wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Teach your kids how to properly wash their hands with soap and water or, in the absence of soap and water, how to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Cover your mouth.

Teach your kids to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze with an elbow or a tissue.

Don’t share personal items.

Shareware shouldn’t be used for either drinking or eating. Dishes can be cleaned in a dishwasher or with hot, soapy water.

Home Remedies for Strep Throat: 

Here are some home remedies for strep throat that you can try, which are easily available in your kitchen.

1.         Lemon

 

Lemon juice might be beneficial in breaking down the mucous-containing bacteria and provide pain relief. Drinking warm water with one teaspoon of lemon juice might help you to relieve the throat pain. Lemons contain powerful antioxidants like vitamin C and may act as an immunity booster.

2.         Honey

Honey may be the most effective treatment for strep throat. It might be because honey has built-in antimicrobial qualities and helps heal wounds. It might reduce the discomfort and swelling brought on by strep throat. A doctor at Penn Medicine claims that honey may be able to kill bacteria and aid in the treatment of ailments.

Take a couple tablespoons of honey with some tea or warm water. Drink this a few times daily to aid with throat discomfort. Honey should not be consumed by youngsters under the age of one, it should be noted.

3.         Ginger

One of the herbal treatments for strep throat that may have therapeutic effects is ginger. Such beneficial phytochemicals as zingerone, paradols, shogaols, and gingerols are present. It could possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.

Ginger tea can be made at home. Crush a few fresh ginger roots, then put them in a pot of boiling water. Before drinking, drain the liquid and get rid of the wasted ginger by bringing it to a nice boil for a few minutes. It’s time for your ginger tea! Drink this as often as you’d like during the day. It will assist in reducing pain. 

4.         Salt water 

You can treat strep throat naturally by gargling with salt water. Although it might not offer instant relief, it might be helpful for eliminating the strep throat bacteria. Mucus may also be loosened, and the discomfort may be reduced. You can gargle with some table salt dissolved in a glass of warm water after giving it a good toss. Swish some salt water around in your mouth for a few seconds. Until the pain is gone, do this numerous times throughout the day.

5.         Hot sauce

You could use hot sauce to relieve discomfort right away. Pepper that has a lot of capsaicin is used to make hot sauce (active compound). The strep throat could be treated with the spicy sauce. Warm water can be infused with a few drops of hot sauce to be gargled with. The capsaicin in the spicy sauce may lessen inflammation and relieve discomfort.

6. Herbal Teas

The best herbal teas for strep throat may include green tea, clove, chamomile, raspberry, and peppermint tea. Green tea’s polyphenol content, particularly its catechin content, is what gives it its health benefits. Both green tea and clove tea may have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Teas made with peppermint, raspberries, and chamomile may help to soothe discomfort and lessen inflammation. Tea with peppermint leaves may ease pain and numb the throat. 

Additionally, chamomile tea could act as a natural lubricant and aid in overcoming hoarseness.

Green tea is simple to produce at home. Purchase green tea in the form of leaves or a tea bag that is offered nearby. Boiling water should have loose leaves or a tea bag added. After filtering the leaves, let it continue to boil for a few minutes before using the water. It’s time to serve your green tea. For optimal benefits, consume it several times daily.

7.         Red root 

Image Credit: Health Line

One of the greatest herbal treatments for strep throat may be red root. There may be an antibacterial action of the red root. It might alleviate the strep throat-related scratchiness. In those who choose not to take antibiotics, it can be used as a herbal remedy to treat strep throat. Red root may be helpful for sore throat tissues and swollen lymph nodes. You can utilise the red root herbal concoction. It can be diluted in water and repeatedly gargled or swallowed throughout the day. 

Conclusion

Strep throat infection is highly contagious and easily spread through the air. The early signs of strep throat are fever and throat pain. Various home remedies such as lemon juice, salt water gargle, honey, ginger, hot sauce gargle and marshmallow infusion might be used to manage strep.