1. Throat Infection Treatment Through Self-Care
Pharyngitis is the medical term for what we know best as a sore throat, which is usually caused by a viral or bacterial throat infection. The most common symptom of a throat infection is a sore throat. For most types of throat infections, home care is the best treatment option, because these types of illnesses usually go away on their own.
2. At-Home Care for Sore Throats
Viruses don't respond to antibiotics, and the best way to treat many throat infections is to let them run their courses. In the meantime, take care of yourself with bed rest, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, broth and tea and soothe your throat with cool treats like ice pops. Drinking fluids not only eases your throat irritation but it also thins mucous, helping you breathe better. Shop your local supermarket or pharmacy for nonprescription medications that can ease pain and irritation. Many varieties of throat drops and over-the-counter painkillers will give you an easier time while you wait for the illness to go away.
3. When You See the Doctor
If your symptoms persist and you do need to see a doctor, she will look for bacterial causes of your throat infection and treat them with antibiotics. One common cause is the streptococcus bacteria, which causes what we know as strep throat. It also causes scarlet fever. Your doctor will give you a strep test and will let you know within 15 minutes if you have strep throat. Alternatively, she may do a throat culture, which will give you results in 24 hours. There are also other bacterial infections of the throat that will respond to antibiotics.
4. Easing the Pain of a Throat Infection
Nonprescription painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen will help with the pain of a throat infection. Numbing throat sprays and syrups that will instantly provide relief are also available at your local pharmacy and supermarket.
5. Use a Humidifier or the Shower
Most people find relief from breathing moist air. It helps to shrink swollen nasal passages, open your airways, thin mucus secretions and ease throat irritation. Set up a humidifier or vaporizer in your room or run a hot shower while you sit in the bathroom, and breathe in the steam for about 15 minutes at a time.
