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This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 16,707 times.
Bacterial pharyngitis is a sore throat caused by a bacteria. The most common bacteria responsible for it is Group A Strep, although Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea may also cause bacterial pharyngitis. Once the underlying cause of your pharyngitis is determined, you can use a combination of medical treatments and at-home strategies to effectively treat and recover from your infection.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Receiving Medical Treatment
Have a throat swab to diagnose the specific cause of your sore throat.[1] The vast majority of sore throats (cases of pharyngitis) are viral. However, some are indeed bacterial (called "bacterial pharyngitis"). The first step when it comes to treating your sore throat is determining the cause, and this cannot be done based on symptoms alone. You will also need to receive a throat swab from your doctor.- A throat swab can identify the presence of bacteria.
- It can also inform your doctor of what bacteria specifically is present, causing your sore throat.
- Throat culture has fallen out of favor due to delay in diagnosis, and rapid antigen detection tests have become popular. Rapid antigen detection tests also know as “rapid strep test” is favorable because they are quick and have up to 90% sensitivity.[2]
Take antibiotics for bacterial pharyngitis.[3] Once the cause or your sore throat has been confirmed (and assuming that it is indeed bacterial), you will most likely be prescribed a course of oral antibiotics. The antibiotics will be tailored to the specific bacteria. For a Group A Strep infection, the most common treatment is Penicillin, although there are other choices of antibiotics that may be effective as well.- It is key that you complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed to you by your doctor.
- One of the main reasons to take antibiotics in bacterial pharyngitis is to prevent complications from the illness.
- Other medication that can be used in the treatment of strep throat other than penicillin include amoxicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin. cephalosporins, and macrolides. For patients with hypersensitivity to penicillins, use cephalosporins for treatment.
Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease pain and fever.[4] In addition to taking antibiotics to treat the cause of the infection, you may wish to take Acetaminophen to ease other symptoms. It can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy or drugstore. The usual dosage is 500mg every 4-6 hours as needed.- Acetaminophen can ease the pain of a sore throat by blocking pain receptors in the brain.
- Acetaminophen can also reduce fever.
Be aware of the expected recovery time.[5] Your bacterial pharyngitis symptoms should begin to improve one to two days after beginning antibiotic treatment. If you do not notice an improvement, or if new or worse symptoms begin to appear, book a follow-up appointment with your doctor. Most people recover completely from bacterial pharyngitis within a week.- Bacterial pharyngitis that goes untreated poses the risk of complications, such as kidney problems and rheumatic fever.[6] Therefore, it is key to have your infection promptly treated with antibiotics.
- Treatment is usually for 10 days; however, response to therapy usually take on a few days of time. Make sure you take the antibiotic as prescribed, and do not stop treatment early.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Trying At-Home Strategies to Soothe Your Sore Throat
Drink plenty of fluids.[7] When you are sick, your body loses more fluids than it normally does as it works to fight off the infection. Therefore, it is key that you drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated. At least 8 cups, or 64 ounces, of water per day is recommended.- You can also consume other beverages such as hot tea, or fruit juices.
- Hot water with a mixture of cinnamon, honey, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar has been shown to be helpful in soothing a sore throat.
Get plenty of rest.[8] As with any infection, it helps to get as much rest (and sleep) as possible, because this boosts your immune system and helps to fight off the bug faster. In addition to speeding your recovery, adequate rest can decrease your chance of complications following bacterial pharyngitis.- Take time off work while you recover, and cancel any social commitments you may have.
- Staying away from others (i.e. not going into work, or canceling social engagements) also prevents others from catching bacterial pharyngitis. Never go into work sick. You will only make other more at risk and susceptible to contracting your illness.
Try sucking on lozenges.[9] Sucking on lozenges can soothe the pain of a sore throat. Some lozenges actually have numbing anesthetic properties, further helping to ease a sore throat. Lozenges can be purchased at most grocery stores, or at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
Gargle warm salt water.[10] Mix half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. Gargle the solution for several seconds in your mouth, and then spit it out. It is not meant to be swallowed. Repeat this process as much as needed to ease your sore throat.
Use a humidifier.[11] A humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help to soothe a sore throat. The hot steam from taking a shower may also help. You may wish to put a humidifier in your bedroom when you fall asleep at night.- For more information on at-home methods to soothe a sore throat click here.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Preventing Transmission to Others
Stay away from others for the duration of your illness.[12] Bacterial pharyngitis can be transmitted through droplets in the air or by touching surfaces that have also been touched by an infected person. Therefore, if you have bacterial pharyngitis, the best way to prevent others from catching it is to stay away from others as much as possible.- Take time off work if you are allowed sick days.
- Cancel social commitments with others to avoid spreading your illness.
Wash your hands.[13] Washing your hands frequently (and thoroughly) will also help to prevent others from catching it. Wash for at least 30 seconds with soap and warm water. Another option is to carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you for use throughout the day.
Clean shared surfaces and avoid sharing whenever possible.[14] Finally, to prevent transmission of your bacterial pharyngitis to others, refrain from sharing objects whenever possible. Also clean any shared surfaces, such as doorknobs, kitchen appliances, TV remotes, and phones, after use.Advertisement
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Warnings
- There is no current vaccination against the contraction of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in clinical use, while investigations for their development are underway.[15]Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0301/p383.html
- ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-acute-pharyngitis-in-adults?source=search_result&search=pharyngitis&selectedTitle=1~150
- ↑ http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0301/p383.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20201997
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20166052
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/02/28/strep-throat-symptoms_n_4874981.html
- ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000655.htm
- ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000655.htm
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/manage/ptc-20202009
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/manage/ptc-20202009
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/manage/ptc-20202009
- ↑ http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-and-prevention-of-streptococcal-tonsillopharyngitis
- ↑ http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-and-prevention-of-streptococcal-tonsillopharyngitis
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/manage/ptc-20202009
- ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-and-prevention-of-streptococcal-tonsillopharyngitis/abstract/113?utdPopup=true
About this article
Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017. This article has been viewed 16,707 times.
Co-authors: 7
Updated: February 19, 2022
Views: 16,707
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 16,707 times.
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