Fever—101°F (38. 3°C) or above Swollen lymph nodes in your neck Fatigue Rash Headache Nausea or vomiting Red or inflamed tonsils with white patches
Scarlet fever Kidney disease Rheumatic fever, which can affect your heart, joints, and nervous system
The fastest test your doctor can use is a rapid antigen test, which requires a swab of your throat. Though the test can provide an answer in minutes, it’s not the most reliable method. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source If the test comes back negative for strep throat, then your doctor may still order the next test. A throat culture will also use a sterile swab of your throat, but the swab will be sent to a lab for a day or two as a culture to see if more strep bacteria grow from the sample in that time. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you’ve also been vomiting due to your illness, then your doctor can give you an antibiotic via injection. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may then take an anti-nausea medication along with a regular course of antibiotics. If you’re allergic to common antibiotics, then your doctor can prescribe other options, such as cephalexin (Keflex), clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax), or clindamycin. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Ensure that you follow all other directions that accompany your antibiotic, including whether or not to take the drug on am empty stomach, avoiding alcohol, and the time interval between doses. [8] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source Though you’re still taking the antibiotics, you can return to school or work without risk of infecting others after you’ve been on the antibiotics for a full twenty-four hours. [9] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
Avoid the use of aspirin in children under the age of eighteen due to the risk of Reye syndrome—a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to seizures, coma, or brain damage. [11] X Research source
This option is also safe for younger children. However, ensure the child is old enough to properly gargle the solution without choking or swallowing the salt water.
Current recommendations vary between men and women. On average, men should try to drink around thirteen cups (three liters) each day, and women should aim to drink nine cups (2. 2 liters) each day. [12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Some people find warm liquids more soothing whereas others prefer cold. If warm liquids are soothing, you can try warm broth or green tea with some honey. If you prefer cold liquids, you can even suck on a popsicle for some temporary relief. [13] X Research source
In addition to avoiding dry, rough foods, you will also find it wise to avoid spicy foods or acidic options such as orange juice. Probiotic yogurts containing active cultures are a good idea. Your antibiotics will target some of the healthy bacteria in your system as well, and these types of yogurt can help restore your system to normal more quickly.
Make sure that you clean the humidifier daily since the moist environment is perfect for breeding bacteria. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean the humidifier. If you don’t have a vaporizer or humidifier, you can simply place several dishes of water in the room with you. As the water evaporates a bit at a time, it will naturally humidify the air.
Sprays containing similar ingredients as sore throat lozenges are also available.
For situations when you cannot wash your hands, consider keeping a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer around. Ensure that the solution is at least 60 percent alcohol. If your do have to touch your mouth, such as when you floss your teeth, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before and after.
This also includes pillowcases and sheets that have been close to your mouth while you were sick. Wash them with detergent on the hot setting of your washing machine.
