Fighting Strep Throat
You get that achy feeling in your throat, midterms are fast-approaching, and your life is falling apart. You have strep throat, and you feel fatigued, sore everywhere, and always want to sleep. You, my friend, are in the same boat as me. This article should help you win the battle against strep. Here are my top tips to fighting a strep infection:
1) Drink plenty of fluids: Water and I often don’t get along too well, however during sore-throat season it’s best to stock up on the warm fluids. My go-to has been warm water with a pinch of honey and lemon. It’s very soothing and I have heard wonderful things about its antibacterial properties.
2) Chew on garlic cloves: This sounds super gross; however, garlic is known to have allicin, a compound which helps fight infection. Although, your breath might reek of garlic, pop a couple of cloves into each cheek, and before you know it, you will feel better.
3) Lozenges: When I have a sore throat I always tend to go overboard with how many lozenges I consume, so be sure to check the back of the box for how much you should consume. Suck on the lozenges, and let the juices soothe your throat. I promise, this works wonders. I had a doctor’s appointment the other day, and I popped a couple of lozenges in which gave me the ability to talk and carry on an entire conversation.
4) Soup: My mom usually makes me chicken noodle; however, you can buy Heinz soup from your local grocery store. Munch on soup, watch some TV shows, and spend the day relaxing.
5) Sleep: A lot of us are students, which means that sleep is a luxury. When you’re sick, getting an ample amount of sleep is key to a faster recovery. I spent over 24 hours in bed, taking several naps because I was too exhausted to get out of bed. You do you, and take some time off to recuperate. Remember, school and extracurricular activities happen best when you are well rested and in your best shape. So be sure to get that much needed rest.
6) Over-counter medication: Always consult your primary care physician before starting any new medication. These medications are good for a stuffy nose, throat, or any sort of fever that may arise due to seasonal allergies or strep throat. My go-to are Tylenol Night and Day as well as Claritin. Always be sure to take the recommended dose and consult the back of the medication to find out how much you should take. Taking an insufficient amount will lead to a longer recovery phase, and taking a larger than recommended dose can lead to liver problems (or even liver failure).
Lastly, all opinions are my own and do not reflect my medical ability or knowledge. It is always best to go see a healthcare professional for an official diagnosis or treatment plan.