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What is a Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies

By on December 4, 2017

Strep Throat

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection causing sore and scratchy throat. This It is highly contagious as it spreads quickly. It mostly affects the school children. But adults are also affected by it.

What is a Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies

What is a Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies

What is a Strep Throat

Strep throat is swelling and the inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the back of the throat and tonsil.

What Causes a Strep Throat

Strep throat is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus spp. It spreads by coughing or sneezing. It is so contagious that it may also spread by sharing food and drinks or kissing.

Symptoms of the Strep Throat

The symptoms of a strep throat are fever, sore throat, red and swollen tonsils, swollen and tender lymph nodes and white patches on the tonsils. The victim may also suffer from abdominal pain, Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, uneasiness, small red spots on hard palate or soft palate, skin rashes and headache.
Symptoms of the Strep Throat

Symptoms of the Strep Throat

The symptoms may vary mildly to severe. In most of the cases, sore throat is first to complain followed by swelling and redness of the tonsils and back of the throat. The painful swallowing limits your fluid intake causing a varying degree of dehydration in the absence of adequate amount of fluid.

Many people confuse the strep throat symptoms with symptoms of a sore throat, but there is little difference that needs to be understood. In a viral sore throat, there is a runny nose, weakness, muscle pain, hoarseness, cough, diarrhea, ulcers in the mouth and red eyes.

Treatment of a Strep Throat

Strep throat may resolve on itself in the 1-2 week still there is a need to take prompt action and treat strep throat, or it may lead to complications such as rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis or pediatric immune neuropsychiatric disorders.

To get rid of the symptoms of strep throat you may head towards your doctor’s clinic. Your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics. But there are also some natural home remedies for strep throat that are compiled below.

Natural Home Remedies to Treat Strep Throat

1. Apple Cider Vinegar-

Apple cider vinegar or ACV has proved its medicinal importance since ages. It is antibacterial and helps to get rid of a strep throat.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of lukewarm water. Gargle with it for 10 minutes, and you find relief in just half an hour. Repeat this 3-4 times in a day.
Also, drink dilute apple cider vinegar by adding a tablespoon of ACV and a teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water.

2. Lemon-

Lemon is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts body immunity and fights infection. Add two teaspoon lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of lukewarm water. Mix well the ingredients and drink three times in a day
Honey is a natural antiseptic. It not only reduces throat soreness but also keeps the throat moisturized.

3.Cayenne Pepper-

Again it is a fantastic home remedy to treat strep throat, efficiently. It has been used for ages to treat a viral sore throat and strep throat.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne Pepper

Mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a teaspoon of honey. Make a paste and rub at the back of your throat to relieve the symptoms of a sore throat. Alternately mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a few drops of lemon juice to a glass of warm water. And gargle with it. Repeat this three times in a day.

4. Sage-

Sage is terrific in treating a strep throat. It is rich antibacterial properties. It restricts the growth of bacteria and reduces swelling, redness, and inflammation.
Steep a teaspoon of dried sage in cup of steaming water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, strain the concoction and drink it.

* Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid it.

5. Cinnamon-

The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of cinnamon efficiently treats strep throat.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and honey to a cup of lukewarm water. Drink this solution three times a day for a few days.

6.Chamomile Tea-

To provide some relief to the pain you may have chamomile tea. Being anti-inflammatory and analgesic, it reduces inflammation and eases a sore throat and a headache.
Steep two teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in 1 cup of steaming water. After 15 minutes, strain and drink the solution. Repeat this three times till the symptoms subside.

7. Onion-

It is antibacterial and speeds up recovery.

Onion

Onion

Cut onion slices and crush it to extract juice. Mix 3 tablespoon of onion juice to a glass of warm water and gargle with this solution. Repeat this several times in a day. Also, chew raw pieces of onion.

8. Warm Water and Salt-

It reduces swelling, redness and soothes the throat.
Mix a teaspoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water and gargle with it for 15 minutes. Repeat this 3-4 times in a day.

* Hypertensive patients please avoid this.

The aim of this article is intended to acknowledge you with natural home remedies for treat strep throat. Hope you find it useful. Along with the home mentioned above treatments, you also need to take proper rest. Eat light and soothing foods. Drinking lots of water. Also, you need to avoid crowded place to prevent the spread of infection. If in the case none of these home remedies for strep throat works do call your doctor.

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.
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