If you suffer from strep throat, it's important to learn what your strep symptoms are and how to recognize them. No one wants to suddenly go down with a serious throat pain – especially not if that sore, scratchy throat also accompanies a fever, irritated tonsils, white or red spots on the face, or a white or green rash around the mouth. Even more frightening is the possibility of getting a bad case of strep throat or some of the other side effects of strept. The most common symptoms of strep include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and muscle and joint pain.
Of course, not everyone experiences all of these things in their sore throat. Some people simply experience a mild fever and a few of these other symptoms. But there are also those who have the more serious types of strep throat, with more than a few of them showing signs of pneumonia. These are pretty scary symptoms to deal with and you might want to call in a doctor right away. Most doctors will prescribe antibiotics if you have this kind of severe strep.
But the good news is that there are ways to treat your sore throat and even stop the recurrence of this horrible infection. The key is to understand the cause of the sore throat in the first place, and then to find out what the best treatment for your problem is. Your health care provider will be able to tell you which antibiotic is most likely to work for you based on your symptoms and current condition.
If you suspect that you have a sore throat, you should make an appointment with your doctor immediately. But if you think that it's just a cold, then you should start to treat it as soon as possible. You can use an over the counter nasal spray to soothe and prevent a sore throat from worsening. Just remember to always follow your doctor's orders and never stop taking the nasal spray unless instructed to do so.
You may be wondering how a simple sore throat can become serious if it's just a cold or flu
This isn't a reason to ignore it. If your condition worsens, you should definitely contact a doctor because this is a sign of a much more serious illness.
Other causes of sore throats can include anything from antibiotics to fungal infections. If the soreness is so severe that you can't even swallow, you should definitely see your doctor. Other causes of sore throat problems include a deviating into the esophagus, throat problems caused by a sinus infection, an illness that includes a cough, or even an infection of the lungs. If you're concerned about your condition, then you can get a throat culture performed to determine whether or not you have the problem.
Another way to help yourself in this situation is by practicing good oral hygiene, which is to brush your teeth at least twice per day, floss, and rinse your mouth with a mouthwash that is specifically designed to kill bacteria, such as mouthwash meant for sore throats. Some products like Zantac are also made specifically for treating sore throats. Make sure you are following a good diet and that you are drinking plenty of fluids, too.
You might be wondering what foods and drinks can give you strep, but they're not the ones you should avoid. You should stay away from foods that are high in sugar, caffeine, alcohol, or coffee, or those that are high in fat and fiber. You should also stay away from meats like ham and beef, chicken, turkey, or pork. If you have a sore throat, you should definitely avoid drinking coffee, but remember that your body will eventually make its own immune system to fight off these germs and infections, so keep drinking your regular coffee and not getting sick.