Suggest Treatment For Strep Throat Despite Taking A Steroid

Posted on Sat, 26 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 26 Nov 2016 Answered on

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Had bad strep was given antibiotics, finished them still not better. Saw nurse practitioner didn't even check my throat very well and perscibed a steroid. Now it seems worse. Help please.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Antibiotics would not help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Sore throats can be caused due to certain bacteria like Streptococcus [Strep throat] or certain viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) [infectious mononucleosis or mono]. Antibiotics are not required as in case of the former irrespective of use of antibiotics the time duration remains the same, and in case of the latter antibiotics are useless anyway. In case of a viral infection, steroids may make things worse. I would not advocate it without a proper clinical ground. The mainstay of treatment is gurgling with lukewarm water.

You would have to be patient. It usually takes a week or so to recover.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar