For strep throat, soothing foods are soft, easy to swallow, and either cool or warm, like yogurt, bananas, smoothies, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and broths, while honey (for ages 1+) and popsicles offer coating and cooling relief, but avoid crunchy, acidic, or hard foods that can cause irritation.
Easy-to-swallow foods include broths, soups, applesauce, cooked cereal, mashed potatoes, soft fruits, yogurt and soft-cooked eggs. You can puree foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow. Cold foods, such as sherbet, frozen yogurt or frozen fruit pops also may be soothing.
Treatment for strep throat during pregnancy typically involves antibiotics, which are safe for both you and your baby when prescribed by a healthcare provider. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin, and are considered safe during pregnancy.
Rheumatic Fever
It can develop if strep isn't properly treated early on and can cause nosebleeds, abdominal pain, heart problems, swelling, and twitching.
Foods with rough textures can scratch your already inflamed throat and make swallowing painful. Avoid items like chips, crackers, toast, pretzels, dry cold cereals, and raw vegetables such as carrots or broccoli. These can delay healing and worsen irritation.
Drink warm liquids that soothe the throat such as broth, tea without caffeine or warm water with honey. Cold treats such as ice pops also can soothe a sore throat. Don't give honey to children younger than age 1. Gargle with saltwater.
Foods to Avoid
With strep throat, your tonsils become very inflamed. This inflammation typically affects the surrounding area of your throat as well, which causes a sore throat (pharyngitis).
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
After dealing with strep throat, it's best to throw out and replace your toothbrush. Additionally, be sure to disinfect the toothbrush holder. Bacteria can live on these surfaces, and you can continue to infect yourself with strep throat.
Two studies of less than 100 people reported an increased chance for miscarriage in people who are pregnant and have a group A strep infection. There was little information on how severe their illness was, or what symptoms they were having, in the study reports.
15 Effective At-Home Remedies for Sore Throats
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C can boost your immune system, helping your body fight off infections more efficiently. Additionally, the acidity in citrus fruits can help break down mucus, clearing it from your throat.
Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count as part of your daily intake.
While these foods will not cure the strep infection, they may help alleviate your sore throat regardless of the cause.
Once a person with strep throat has been taking antibiotics for 24 hours and has no fever, they can return to work, school or daycare and not worry about infecting others.
Throat lozenges, numbing sprays, and ibuprofen work quickly to reduce symptoms.
Some common ones are rhinovirus (common cold), flu, adenovirus, and coronaviruses, like COVID-19. These typically lead to redness and rawness in the back of the throat. One virus that really mimics strep throat is the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono.
Gargle: Gargling with a salt water or baking soda solution can help reduce irritation, break up mucous, reduce bacteria and prevent the growth of fungi. Steam: Breathing warm, humid air can open airways and alleviate soreness; run a hot bath or shower with the bathroom door closed, allowing the room to fill with steam.
Swallowing often makes it feel worse. The most common cause of a sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat from a virus goes away on its own. Strep throat, also called a streptococcal infection, is a less common type of sore throat.
When you visit the ER for strep throat, the medical team will perform a physical exam and order diagnostic tests, such as a rapid strep test or a throat culture. If you are diagnosed with strep throat, the doctor will most likely prescribe rheumatic fever or kidney damage antibiotics to help clear the infection.
Chicken soup.
The broth in chicken soup soothes a sore throat and helps inhibit the movement of white blood cells called neutrophils, which help the immune system fight infection, the hot fluid promotes movement of nasal mucus and keeps you hydrated, and the salt helps your tissues retain fluids.
Sage: The Sore Throat Healer
Sage is known for its antiseptic properties. It is excellent for reducing inflammation in the throat, while relieving a stressed throat and relieving pain. Add some honey to sage tea for extra relief. A warm gargle with this tea can give immediate results.
Pomegranate Juice – Studies suggest pomegranate juice can reduce inflammation and fight off infection. Frozen Fruit – Fruit sherbets and popsicles can soothe the inflammation. Honey – Studies suggest honey can heal wounds and fight infection, as well as being tasty and soothing.