If I have strep throat what can I take OTC to help it?

Question

pretty much I have the white spots on the back of my throat every so often (sometimes you can see them sometimes you can't). And my throat is swollen making my voice sound rough. My throat doesn't hurt anymore though. Also does my stuffy/runny nose play into this any?

Answer 1

Antibiotics is the only thing that works for strep throat. If you are seeking some relief from the pain, I suggest you gargle with salt and warm water. You can also you Chloroseptic spray to numb the pain. Unfortunately the only thing that will actually get rid of Strep will be antibiotics prescribed by the doctor who is the only person that can diagnose it. Hope you feel better!!

Best Wishes!!

Answer 2

Okay, first of all white spots on your throat and a sore throat do not neccesarily mean that you have strep throat, you wont know that you have strep throat until you go to the doctor and they stick the thing down your throat and send it for a strep test. You cant cure strep throat if you do have it with any over the counter medications. Its a bacteria infection and if it goes untreated it could form into yellow fever and that is much mroe life threatening. Dont mess around because you dont want to go to the doctor or you dont have enough money to pay for it. If you have a sore throat I suggest getting sore throat/cough drops and also Tylenol sore throat and flu will at least knock you out so you can sleep and it has some soothing stuff in it. But if you think its strep go to the doctor cus it can form into something very serious.

Answer 3

runny nose makes it more likely that this could be caused by a different germ than strep.

However, this is the key: Even if you are feeling better, if your infection was caused by strep bacteria, then you are at risk for developing very serious complications that can affect your kidneys or heart valves if you are not treated with antibiotics. Most people will not get these problems, but they occur frequently enought that it is not wise to leave yourself exposed. You can go have a test for strep done and only treat if it's positive if it hasn't been too long even if you are feeling better.
Antibiotic overuse is a serious problem and often persons would get better without them (maybe more slowly in some cases), but certain situations make it not smart to just "tough it out". This is one.
In the meantime before you go to your doctor, try Throat comfort tea, has slippery elm root in it, tastes good, coats and numbs your throat.

Answer 4

The change is that alot of matters can rationale a sore throat... bloodless, flu, hypersensitivity, smoking.. the record is going on. However strep throat is prompted by way of a micro organism that if left untreated can result in severe harm to different elements of your frame (center being one). Now whilst white spots could be a signal of strep, they don't seem to be a walk in the park.... additionally understand that if you happen to ever have strep throat you are going to understand the agony it reasons and the following time you get it is going to comprehend it immediately from the agony (so much worse than from so much different reasons of a sore throat). The voice and speaking is not a average symptom... so much signs are very painful whilst you swallow and fever... a medical professional can swab your throat and inform you beautiful swiftly whether it is or is not... that is what you will have to do in case your now not certain however suspect it... in any other case wait a few days and if it's not strep it will have to get larger... strep wont get larger it is going to best worsen with out antibiotics.

Answer 5

If you are not sure you have strep throat, I suggest you have a throat culture to make sure. If it comes back positive (they do quick strep in the office) The Dr will give you a script for an antibiotic. Take Tylenol for pain and if you have a fever and also warm water with salt--it really helps. Drink lots of fluid and you should be back to new in a week. Feel better!

Answer 6

I am no doctor, but if you have strep you need antibiotics. Also you cannot be sure of your diagnosis unless you see a doctor, but you can have a good idea if you have been diagnosed with them before and experienced the symptoms--in addition to the soreness, I experience a distinct taste in my mouth and pastiness in my throat. My grandfather died of complications associated with strep throat when the infection spread to his heart because it was left untreated, so it is not a good idea to let it run its course. However, last time I had strep, the doc gave me a one dose antibiotic that worked just fine. Get better soon,

Answer 7

"For sore throat caused by viral infection like colds or flu, treatment usually involves OTC (over the counter) medicines like pain killers and lozenges to suck until the infection clears. Strep throat and tonsillitis are usually treated by antibiotics. While antibiotics can quickly clear the infection within a couple of days, regular use can weaken the immune system and result in recurring infections.

It is important that strep throat and tonsillitis are treated as they can lead to further infections elsewhere in the body. However, it is also important to know that antibiotics and OTC remedies are not the only options for treating these conditions."

Answer 8

OTC drugs might treat some of the symptoms and make u feel better 4 awhile. but u need antibiotics from the doc 2 cure it. strep throat left untreated can end up very serious

Answer 9

You need to be careful because this can go into more than strep throat. You really need some prescribed meds. so that they can knock this out before it gets worse. Even though your not having a sore throat anymore that doesn't mean it's any less serious.

Answer 10

See a medical doctor. You need antibiotics. Strep can cause you to have Rheumatic Fever which will damage the valves in you heart. That lasts a lifetime.

Don't try to shortcut or under estimate strep. It is BAD stuff.

NO over the counter medicines will kill strep!!!! Good luck. Pops