How Do You Get Strep Throat?

Strep throat is only caused by bacteria. It is also referred as a streptococcal sore throat or Streptococcal pharyngitis. Streptococcal bacteria are extremely transferable and can spread through flying droplets when the sick person sneezes or coughs. People can also get infected by touching the things which an infected person had already touched, such as kitchen utensils, doorknob, or bathroom objects. Majorly sore throats are not very serious, and the person affected with a sore throat mainly improves within 3-7 days without any treatment. This article is all about the effective home remedies when you get strep throat. 

A sore throat is more common among children and adolescent. This is because the immune system of young ones is sensitive and not exposed to as many viruses and bacteria as compared to older people’s. It is not uncommon to suffer from a sore throat for people of any age have a couple of bouts of a sore throat over a 1-year period.

Strep Throat vs. Sore Throat

There is a difference between strep throat and sore throat. Not all sore throats are strep throats. Most cases of a sore throat, which can be accompanied by a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, and red eyes— are caused by viruses and usually clear up on their own without medical treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat:

• Fever over 101°F.
• Pain in the throat.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• White or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat.
• Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes.
• A headache and belly pain.
• Few uncommon symptoms of a sore throat are red skin rashes, not feeling hungry, vomiting, and body aches.
• Strep throat is an infection, while a sore throat can be or cannot be.
• Small red spots on the soft part of the palate.
• Lymph glands of the neck are tender and swollen.

Although these symptoms are regular symptoms of strep throat, they could also be triggered by tonsillitis, a virus, or some other illness. On the other side, People with strep throat may sometimes have no symptoms – the people might not feel ill, but they can still spread the infection on to other people.

How Do You Get Strep Throat?

Strep throat is caused by an infection with Group A Streptococcus bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pyrogens. The streptococcal infection attacks the pharyngeal tissue and causes an inflammatory reaction of the throat and tonsils. These bacterial organisms are often found in the throat or on the skin, and are responsible for other illnesses as well, such as impetigo.

Top Remedies to Treat When You Get Strep Throat

1. Use Garlic When You Get Strep Throat

Garlic has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Due to these properties, garlic used as a home remedy for strep throat and much more. Garlic contains high sulfur content which improves the immune system functioning and body to fight the infection. Additionally, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese and selenium in garlic promote general health.

Uses:

• Peel a clove and cut in half and suck pieces.
• Occasionally crush teeth under teeth to release its juice.
• Do this twice or thrice a day, when you get strep throat.

Alternative Method:

• Boil one cup of water.
• Add one tablespoon of grated garlic, a pinch of cayenne pepper to the water.
• Let it brew for another 2 minutes and then strain.
• Drink it warm twice a day to get rid of strep throat.

2. Gargle with Salt Water Whenever You Get Strep Throat

Gargling with salt water is another effective way to cure pain and inflammation related to strep throat. The salt will help kill the bacteria that cause strep throat. Whereas warm water will have a soothing effect on the throat.

Uses:

• Add one and half tablespoon of salt to one cup of warm water.
• Stir it well.
• Gargle with the solution for a few seconds and split it out.
• Do it one or two times a day for better results.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar When You Get Strep Throat

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best remedies when you get strep throat. With the anti-bacterial properties, apple cider vinegar helps to get rid of the bacteria and trigger the immune system to fight the infection.

Uses:

• Dilute one to three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in one cup of warm water.
• Gargle with this solution twice or thrice a day.

4. Cayenne When You Get Strep Throat

Cayenne is another every effective home remedy to cure strep throat. With anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, this pungent spice helps reduces inflammation and controls the growth of the bacteria that causes strep throat. Capsaicin compound in cayenne also helps in flushing toxins and other infection causing agents out of the body.

Uses:

• Mix one-fourth teaspoon of cayenne powder with one tablespoon of honey and 2-3 grated garlic cloves.
• Take one tablespoon of this mixture every one hour, several times a day.
• Don’t drink water right after taking this mixture.

5. Herbal Teas When You Get Strep Throat

Herbal teas are famous for their soothing properties which make them an effective home remedy to treat strep throat. Its anti-inflammatory effects can relieve throat pain, and its antibacterial properties can kill off bacteria that cause irritation or inflammation. It is also an effective anti-fungal.

6. Take Onion When You Get Strep Throat

Onion is one of the best remedies to cure strep throat. Filled with the natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties onion cure strep throat quickly or effectively.

Uses:

• Take one onion and grate it.
• Chew them down your throat.
• If it’s too spicy hot you to eat, mix onion juice with water and gargle your throat with it.

7. When You Get Strep Throat- Consume Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil can be used to cure strep throat b giving soothing relief for the throat. It is an excellent treatment to prevent strep throat. Regular consumption of sunflower oil can help in preventing the occurrence of the disease. It is also excellent to regain your voice and vocal ability if it has been lost due to the strep throat.

Uses:

• Drink a spoonful of sunflower oil daily to cure throat infection.

8. Eat Ice Cream When You Get Strep Throat

We try to avoid ice creams when we get strep throat.  But, ice creams have been used to soothe ailing throats and to offer some relief after tonsils. Use homemade ice creams for treatment purpose as market-based may have chemicals that can further irritate your throat.

9. Take Sage When You Get Strep Throat

Sage is a herb that has many antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities. Hence, sage taken either as a tablet or as a tincture will reduce pain and swelling and provide relief from discomfort caused by strep throat. It can also be taken as a tea form for best results. This will give you the benefits of warm liquids as well.

10. Essential Oils to Cure Strep Throat

The use of essential oils truly the best solution for almost every problem. You’re  probably not even that surprised that they can be used for sore throats, too.

The essential oils are perfect to cure sore throat pain and will kill germs, ease inflammation and speed healing of this annoying and painful malady.

Tips to Prevent Strep Throat:

Many specialists say that there is not much we can do to prevent sore throats because that is caused by viral or bacterial infection. But the following tips may help reduce the sore throats, and probably may help prevent complications:

Nutrition– Add a well-balanced diet to your routine, rich in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good quality fats and lean proteins which will boost the immune system.

Keep Hands Clean– Wash hands with soap and water, which is an effective way to prevent most of the infections.

Cover the Mouth While Coughing– Protects other people from getting bacteria when you get strep throat. Coughing into the inner side of the elbow, rather than into the hands, also makes it less likely that surfaces will become infected when touched.

Separate Personal Items–  Your personal utensils should not be shared with anybody when you get strep throat or likely to be suffered from cold or strep throat.

Get Enough Sleep– Take plenty of sleep because sleeping will make your immune system strong to fight against bacteria.

Exercise– Regular exercise also helps to boost the immune system.

Don’t Smoke– People who smoke are more likely to suffer from a sore throat compared to people who don’t. They also more susceptible to throat complications.