Sore throat medications are often used to treat inflammation of the throat. However, make sure the use of strep throat medication according to the cause. If used inappropriately, this drug can actually make the condition worse.
Sore throat is a very common condition. Most sore throat conditions clear up on their own within 5–10 days.
However, strep throat can cause annoying complaints, such as difficulty swallowing or dysphagia, coughing, until the throat feels itchy and dry. Sore throat medications are generally used to treat these symptoms.
Various Causes of Sore Throat
The following are some of the causes of sore throat:
Viral infections, such as influenza, mononucleosis, chickenpox, and the Corona virus
Bacterial infections, eg Streptococcus and diphtheria bacteria
Allergies, for example from exposure to pollution, dust, cigarette smoke, or pet dander
Irritation, usually from alcoholic beverages, spicy and oily food, stomach acid rising to the throat, dry air, or exposure to perfume
Diseases, such as tonsillitis or inflammation of the tonsils
Injuries, usually from injuries to the neck or throat, screaming too much, choking or accidentally swallowing bones
Several Choices of Sore Throat Medications According to the Cause
Before taking strep throat medicine, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor first to find out the cause of the condition you are experiencing. This is done so that the treatment works optimally and you recover faster.
After the doctor has determined the cause of your sore throat, the doctor may prescribe the following strep throat medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are useful for reducing inflammation in the body while reducing pain. This medicine can also relieve symptoms of fever caused by strep throat.
Several choices of NSAIDs that can be prescribed by doctors to treat sore throat are paracetamol, ibuprofen, and diclofenac.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are generally prescribed by doctors if your sore throat is caused by allergies or severe irritation.
The use of corticosteroids must be according to the prescription and doctor’s advice. Several types of strep throat drugs that are included in the corticosteroid group are prednisone and prednisolone.
Antibiotics
Not all cases of strep throat need to be treated with antibiotics. The use of this strep throat medication only applies to sore throat caused by bacterial infection.
Giving antibiotics for sore throat also needs to be adjusted to the bacteria causing it. Some examples of antibiotics that your doctor may prescribe include amoxicillin, cefixime, cefadroxil, and azithromycin.
In addition to the drugs above, your doctor may also give you stomach acid relievers, such as antacids, if your sore throat is caused by acid reflux disease.
Avoid taking drugs, especially antibiotics, without a doctor’s prescription. Besides being dangerous, it also risks increasing the bacteria’s immunity to these antibiotics, so that sore throats will be more difficult to treat.
Sore Throat Treatment at Home
In addition to using medicines as prescribed and recommended by your doctor, there are several ways you can do at home to relieve symptoms and cure sore throat.
If your strep throat is not too severe, you can try some of the tips below to treat strep throat:
1. Increase consumption of water
When experiencing sore throat, it is important for you to always meet the needs of body fluids, one of which is to increase the consumption of water.
In addition to preventing dehydration, consuming lots of water can also prevent the throat from feeling dry and thin and dissolve phlegm.
2. Gargle with warm salt water
Try gargling with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon salt in 250 ml of warm water. This method is quite effective to relieve pain and itching in the throat.
This sore throat medicine is safe for adults and children over the age of 6 who can rinse their mouths well.
3. Eat foods that are easy to swallow
Foods that are easy to swallow such as soups, porridge, cereals, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, soft-textured fruit, yogurt, or hard-boiled eggs are very good for people with sore throat. Some of these foods are comfortable and less painful in the throat when swallowed.
When your throat is inflamed, it’s best to avoid spicy, acidic, or too hot foods because they risk making the inflammation worse.
4. Get enough rest
Adequate sleep can help the body fight infection and fight inflammation. For a while, get away from the hectic office routine. If your child is sick, make sure he rests at home until his symptoms subside and his condition gets better.
5. Use a humidifier
Keeping the air moist, especially in an air-conditioned room, can help reduce discomfort in the throat or overall respiratory tract. If you use a humidifier, it is recommended to clean it every day as bacteria and mold can grow inside the appliance.
In addition to using strep throat medicine or the natural methods above, you also need to stay away from cigarette smoke, quit smoking, and stay away from exposure to dust or pollution so that your sore throat condition gets better soon.
If your sore throat doesn’t go away within 7 days, or it gets worse even after taking strep throat medication, you should consult a doctor for an examination and get the right treatment.