Know Sore Throat Medication According to the Cause

Strep throat medicine is often used to treat inflammation in the throat. However, make sure the use of strep throat medication according to the cause. If used inappropriately, this drug can actually make the condition worse

Strep throat is a very common condition. Most sore throat conditions clear up on their own within 5–10 days.

However, strep throat can cause annoying complaints, such as difficulty swallowing or dysphagia, coughing, until the throat feels itchy and dry. Sore throat medications are generally used to treat these symptoms.

Various Causes of Sore Throat

The following are some of the causes of sore throat:

• Viral infections, such as influenza, mononucleosis, chickenpox, and the Corona virus
• Bacterial infections, such as Streprococcal bacteria and diphtheria
• Allergies, for example due to exposure to pollution, dust, cigarette smoke, or pet dander
• Irritation, usually from alcoholic beverages, spicy and oily food, stomach acid rising to the throat, dry air, or exposure to perfume
• Diseases, such as tonsillitis or inflammation of the tonsils
• Injuries, usually due to injuries to the neck or throat, screaming too much, choking or accidentally swallowing bones

Several Choices of Sore Throat Medications According to the Cause

Before taking strep throat medicine, it's a good idea to check with your doctor first to find out the cause of the condition you are experiencing. This is done so that the treatment works optimally and you recover faster.

After the doctor has determined the cause of your sore throat, the doctor may prescribe the following strep throat medications:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are useful for reducing inflammation in the body while reducing pain. This medicine can also relieve symptoms of fever caused by sore throat.

Several choices of NSAIDs that can be prescribed by doctors to treat sore throat are paracetamol, ibuprofen, and diclofenac.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are generally prescribed by doctors if your sore throat is caused by allergies or severe irritation.

The use of corticosteroids must be according to the doctor's prescription and advice. Several types of strep throat drugs that are included in the corticosteroid group are prednisone and prednisolone.

Antibiotics

Not all cases of strep throat need to be treated with antibiotics. The use of this strep throat medication only applies to sore throats caused by bacterial infections.

The administration of antibiotics for strep throat also needs to be adjusted to the bacteria causing it. Some examples of antibiotics that doctors may prescribe include amoxicillin, cefixime, cefadroxil, and azithromycin.

In addition to the drugs above, your doctor may also give you stomach acid relievers, such as antacids, if your sore throat is caused by acid reflux disease.

Avoid taking drugs, especially antibiotics, without a doctor's prescription. Besides being dangerous, this also risks increasing the bacteria's immunity to these antibiotics, so that sore throats will be more difficult to treat.

Sore Throat Treatment at Home

In addition to using medicines as prescribed and recommended by your doctor, there are several ways you can do at home to relieve symptoms and cure sore throat.

If your sore throat isn't too severe, you can try the following tips for treating sore throat:

1. Increase the consumption of water

When you have a sore throat, it is important for you to always meet your body's fluid needs, one of which is to increase your water consumption.

In addition to preventing dehydration, consuming lots of water can also prevent the throat from feeling dry and thin and dissolve phlegm.

2. Gargle with warm s alt water

Try gargling with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon s alt in 250 ml of warm water. This method is quite effective for relieving pain and itching in the throat.

This sore throat medicine is safe for adults and children over the age of 6 who can rinse their mouths well.

3. Eat foods that are easy to swallow

Foods that are easy to swallow such as soup, porridge, cereal, mashed potatoes, team rice, soft-textured fruit, yogurt, or hard-boiled eggs are very good for people with sore throat. Some of these foods are comfortable and don't cause too much pain in the throat when swallowed.

When your throat is inflamed, it's best to avoid spicy, acidic, or too hot foods because they risk making the inflammation worse.

4. Get enough rest

Enough sleep can help the body fight infection and fight inflammation. For a while, get away from the hectic office routine. If your child is sick, make sure he rests at home until his symptoms subside and his condition gets better.

5. Use a humidifier

Keeping the air moist, especially in an air-conditioned room, can help reduce discomfort in the throat or respiratory tract as a whole. If you use a humidifier, it is recommended to clean it every day as bacteria and mold can grow inside the appliance.

In addition to using strep throat medicine or natural methods above, you also need to stay away from cigarette smoke, quit smoking, and stay away from exposure to dust or pollution so that your sore throat condition gets better soon.

If your sore throat doesn't go away within 7 days, or it gets worse even after taking strep throat medicine, you should consult a doctor for an examination and get the right treatment.