Strep throat represents a very frequent pharyngeal infection produced by Group A hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. It affects people of all ages and consists in inflammation of the throat, discomfort, hard time in swallowing and pain. If you have strep throat, you experience lack of appetite, fever, fatigue, low tonus of the muscles, general weakness, headache and nausea. Some possible complications of this condition are otitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis.

Streptococcus bacteria are extremely contagious and affect many people, especially in winter, late fall and early spring. They are acquired by means of saliva, nasal secretions (sneezing, coughing) or contact to a contaminated person. A weakened immune system may cause people to be extremely vulnerable to this bacteria.

Most of the strep throat cases are not severe and are treated with certain antibiotics, like amoxicillin, cephalosporins, penicillin, and erythromycin. With proper treatment and dosage, this condition is easy to defeat and the recovery very quick. Antibiotics also prevent the possible complications, from which some may be severe: coronary disease, kidney disease or acute rheumatic fever (very rarely).

Antibiotics are very powerful medicines whose benefits are considered to be much higher than their possible side effects, which may include problems of the digestive tract, that are only temporary, or lowering of the immune system's capacity of response to infections. There are although cases in which even they fail to destroy the streptococcus bacteria. Anyway, they are much more effective than any possible home treatment or alternative therapy.

You should keep in mind that untreated or improperly treated strep throat may result in serious complications so you need to see a doctor in case some symptoms of throat inflammation may appear. The specialist will examine you and will perform a pharyngeal exudate in order to determine whether the infection has viral or bacterial origins; the last case implies the use of antibiotics. Do not try to take antibiotics on your own. Only the doctor can decide your treatment and doses, so rely on his opinion, not on casual treatments and therapies.

There are some remedies you may use at home that may ameliorate your throat but they are unable to stop the infection or to destroy the bacteria that caused it. They may only be used as a complementary therapy to the one involving antibiotics.

The best home treatments are:

* Gargle with warm salty water 2 or 3 times a day. It is very helpful against throat pain and inflammation.

* Use mist humidifiers; they eliminate throat or nasal obstructions.

* Use saline nasal sprays; they will moisturize the mucous membranes.

* Apply compresses with warm water for pain and fever.

* Add garlic in your food or garlic extract in chamomile tea; it helps against the bacteria and speeds up recovery.

* Take sage tincture or pills for inflammations.

* In case you have a fever, eat soups, drink teas and natural juices that are non-irritant; they will maintain you hydrated.