Strep throat treatment consists of antibiotics and if needed, pain relievers. Take the medication as instructed by your doctor. Overdose or stopping treatment early will lead to health complications.

Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics may be prescribed. These include amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax), penicillin, clindamycin (Cleocin) or cephalosporin (Keflex, Ceclor). If a child cannot swallow, penicillin may be administered using an injection.

These antibiotics will aim to lessen the illness duration. The symptoms will also be reduced. Taken correctly, the medications will reduce the chances of developing health complications and infecting others.

After treatment begins, the patient will begin feeling better in a day or two. Consult your doctor if conditions do not improve two days after taking antibiotics. Finish the medication even if the

symptoms are no longer being felt.

Pain Relievers

If needed your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin etc.). These are used to ease the pain of sore throat. These medications may be used to lower the fever too.

Due to the potential danger of Reye’s syndrome, aspirin should not be taken by children or teenagers. Taking too much acetaminophen will cause liver problems too. When taking strep throat treatments, only use medication as indicated in the package or by your doctor.

Symptoms

The most visible sign of the illness is a sore and painful throat. Other indicators are red and swollen tonsils. The swelling may be accompanied by pus. There is difficulty with swallowing.

There are red spots on the hard or soft palate (the section at the back of the mouth’s roof). The lymph glands in the neck will swell up. Fever and headaches will be felt. Skin rash may develop as well. Among younger children, vomiting is common. Children and adults may also experience stomach ache.

Note: it can happen that these symptoms may appear but you do not have strep throat. These symptoms may be the result of tonsillitis or other ailments.

Bacteria may also cause strep throat without making it sore. If you are not sure, you should consult your doctor. Do not take medication until the doctor has determined what disease you have.

When to Consult the Doctor

Notify your doctor if the sore throat is not accompanied by runny nose. You should also get medical attention if the sore throat lasts more than 48 hours. If a child has fever over 101 F (38 C), the doctor should be consulted. You should also go to the physician if there are breathing difficulties.

Take note if you get fever, joint pain, rash or shortness of breath two to three weeks after the strep throat has cleared up. This may be an indication rheumatic fever is setting in. Kidney inflammation may have occurred if the urine assumes a cola color seven days after the strep infection.

In most cases, the strep throat treatments mentioned will relieve the symptoms within a couple of days. Nevertheless, it is important that you are aware of the various symptoms so you can avoid any possible complications.

Originally posted 2010-04-20 10:23:46.