Streptococcal pharyngitis, or strep throat, is a very uncomfortable sickness that causes intense pain and swelling in your tonsils. It can also cause problems like a fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Strep can be debilitating for a lot of people and may make it difficult to return to work or school. However, it is relatively to treat and there are things you can do to feel better in the meantime.

See a Doctor

Urgent care centers are a great place to get help with strep throat. They offer walk-in care and on the spot testing. They will be able to tell you within minutes after swabbing your throat if you have strep or not. They can also prescribe you the necessary antibiotics to treat the illness. Strep can go away on its own in time, but it can also turn into worse problems if left untreated so it’s usually best to treat it.

Eat the Right Foods

You can make an effort to soothe your throat and avoid further agitation by eating the right foods. Foods that are soft like pudding or applesauce are great choices. You could even make fruit smoothies and drink your nutrition instead. You can also choose items are that have a hot or cold soothing effect. Warm teas or cooling ice cream can make your throat feel a little bit better and can help to reduce swelling.

Take Time to Rest

Being overly active or talkative when you have strep can agitate your symptoms. You will mostly like feel very fatigued anyway, so it’s best to rest as much as you can. Getting extra sleep or just taking it easy help your body to recover and voids making your symptoms worse.

Use Lozenges

Lozenges for a sore throat are also a nice option for when you have strep. They can help to soothe the pain and make it easier to get through the day. Find some that have a cooling effect for an added burst of comfort. You can also drink peppermint teas for a similar result.

Strep throat usually doesn’t last long once you’ve gone to urgent care and started treatment. The antibiotics usually clear it up quickly and have you feeling better in no time. However, even if you are feeling better you need to finish your entire prescription, because strep can make a recurrence if you don’t finish the treatment.