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OTC painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce pain and fever. Take these medicines with food if possible, and do not exceed the manufacturer's daily dosage. Avoid using aspirin to alleviate strep throat symptoms in children and teenagers due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, which can cause life-threatening swelling in the liver and brain. Salt water can also help alleviate strep throat pain. Mix about teaspoon of salt into a tall glass of warm water. Take the salt water in the back of your mouth, tilt your head back, and gargle for thirty seconds. Spit the salt water out after the back of your throat is coated. Repeat several times a day as needed. For younger children, ensure that they understand not to swallow the salt water. Many people can become dehydrated when they have strep throat because the painful swallowing stops them from drinking. However, keeping your throat lubricated will actually help reduce pain associated with swallowing. Though it may be unpleasant at first, drink plenty of water. Some people may find warm liquids more soothing than cold water. You may also want to try warm (not hot) tea with lemon or honey. Sleeping is one of the best steps you can take at home to help your immune system battle an infection. Stay home from work or school and get lots of rest. Since strep throat is highly contagious, you should also stay home to help avoid spreading the infection to peers. Your throat drying out overnight can lead to an especially painful sore throat first thing in the morning. A humidifier will add more moisture to the air while you sleep (or even as you're resting at home during the day), helping to reduce the pain of your strep throat. Ensure that you clean a humidifier daily during use since they're ideal environments for bacteria and mold. Throat lozenges and sprays designed to help with sore throat symptoms can also help reduce sore throat pain and painful swallowing. These products can help coat the throat to reduce irritation or slightly numb your throat to alleviate symptoms. Use as directed. Do not give lozenges to children under age 4, as they are at risk for choking. Hard, dry foods that can scrape and irritate your throat will be more painful to swallow. Soups, applesauce, yogurt, and mashed potatoes are just a few foods that might be easier on your throat to swallow. You should also avoid spicy foods until your symptoms subside. Irritants to your throatespecially smoking and exposure to secondhand smokecan cause additional throat pain. Other irritants you should avoid while you have strep throat include paint fumes and fumes from cleaning products. If symptoms persist, then you should see your doctor because strep throat can spread, leading to the bacterial infection in other parts of the body or other complications of your heart, kidneys, or joints. Your doctor will be able to perform a quick swab of your throat to determine your diagnosis, or he or she may also have a lab do a culture of a swab sample. If the test comes back positive, then your doctor will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics. Your physician will likely prescribe a ten-day course of antibiotics (though this can vary based on the antibiotic). Common antibiotics for strep throat include penicillin or amoxicillin unless you have an allergy to them, in which case he or she will likely prescribe cephalexin or azithromycin. When taking antibiotics: Take as directed until the prescription is gone. Skipping doses or stopping because you feel better can increase the chances of recurrence, as well as helping to produce antibiotic-resistant bacteria. See your doctor again immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, with symptoms such as hives, vomiting, swelling, or trouble breathing, or if your symptoms have not started to improve within forty-eight hours of beginning your course of antibiotics. Do not return to work or school for at least twenty-four hours. You will still be contagious until you've been on the antibiotic for at least a full day.
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Gargle with salt water. Stay hydrated. Sleep. Use a humidifier. Use a lozenge or spray. Choose easy-to-swallow foods. Avoid throat irritants. See your doctor. Take the full course of antibiotics.