Treating Strep Throat in Adults: are antibiotics really necessary?
Treating Strep Throat in Adults: are antibiotics really necessary?
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Introduction:
Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that can affect individuals of all ages, including adults. While it's often associated with childhood illnesses, adults can also fall victim to this uncomfortable condition. In this blog post, we'll explore the signs and symptoms of strep throat in adults, the myths around treating or not treating, and the importance of seeking prompt medical care.
Recognizing Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria and is characterized by a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and redness or white patches on the tonsils. In adults, the symptoms can sometimes be milder than those experienced by children, making it easier to dismiss the infection as a common cold or flu.
Common signs of strep throat in adults include:
1. Sudden onset of a severe sore throat
2. Painful swallowing
3. Red and swollen tonsils
4. White or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat
5. Fever
6. Headache
7. Body aches
It's crucial to note that symptoms may vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience the same combination of symptoms. If you suspect you have strep throat, I recommend the following approach:
1. Get plenty of rest
2. Stay well-hydrated
3. Gargle with warm salt water 4-5 times a day
4.. Use throat lozenges or sprays for relief.
5. tea with lemon, cinnamon, ginger is also beneficial as an antibacterial and anti-viral tea
A sore throat - viral or strep will go away with proper care in 5-7 days.
Visit your doctor for testing if fever persists, your pain does not allow eating or drinking, or if you notice that your breathing is more difficult. It is recommended that if you decide to seek medical attention, a rapid antigen test is used to detect the actual presence of the bacteria, and not just guess. The symptoms of strep can also be the symptoms of a viral sore throat.
The use of unnecessary antibiotics has higher rates of doing harm to the gut microbiome and your immune system, the rate of complications not treating the strep.
Potential Complications of Untreated Strep Throat
While strep throat is generally a self-limiting infection, the fear of complications if left untreated have been drilled into us as medical providers, and parents. These potential complications are rare and occur at the following percentage of cases of untreated strep: rheumatic fever 0.3-3%, Glomerulonephritis 0.3% and tonsil abscess 0.01%
treatment of viral sore throats with amoxicillin results in 70 % incidence of maculopapular rashes. (2)
it is important to note that in developed countries the risk of developing these complications is reported to be 1.3% - 3 % of untreated cases.
While strep throat may be commonly associated with childhood illnesses, adults are not immune to this bacterial infection. Recognizing the signs and symptoms, understanding the appropriate treatments for strep throat, and seeking medical care when needed are essential. If you suspect you have strep throat, don't hesitate to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Klug TE, Greve T, Hentze M. Complications of peritonsillar abscess. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2020 Jul 30;19(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12941-020-00375-x. PMID: 32731900; PMCID: PMC7391705.
Weisser C, Ben-Shoshan M. Immediate and non-immediate allergic reactions to amoxicillin present a diagnostic dilemma: a case series. J Med Case Rep. 2016 Jan 18; 10:10. doi: 10.1186/s13256-016-0801-2. PMID: 26781593; PMCID: PMC4717649.
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