Bacterial Throat Infection

Sore throats are caused in humans mainly due to viral or bacterial infections. In both the cases, there is swelling in the tissues of the pharynx, larynx and tonsils. Bacterial throat infection is caused by a bacterium named "streptococcus". Strep throat can be easily identified as the person who has it experiences a sore throat with a sudden onset of fever. Initially with a strep throat, cold and cough symptoms are missing. The commonly seen bacterial throat infection symptoms are pain in the throat, difficulty in swallowing food, loss of appetite, fever, body fatigue, ear pain, headaches and infection in the tonsils. Here are the bacterial throat infection causes, followed by its treatment.

Causes of Bacterial Throat Infection
Bacterial throat infections, as mentioned above are caused by the bacteria " streptococcus". These infections are contagious and hence, can spread from one infected person to another. The bacteria generally spreads through the nasal discharge, saliva, coughing, touching and sneezing. A bacterial throat infection can lead to certain serious medical conditions such as tonsillitis and ear infections. Strep throat can cause rheumatic fever which can cause heart valve problems as well as inflammation of the kidneys in some cases.

Treatment for Bacterial Throat Infection
Doctors generally prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat bacterial throat infection. Commonly used Oral antibiotics such as clarithromycin, amoxicillin, azithromycin,clindamycin and pencillin are often prescribed by doctors to treat this condition. Pencillin injections are also used to treat bacterial throat infections. Antibiotics help in stopping the transmission of infection to other people, besides reducing the symptoms of bacterial throat infection in the affected person and thus, provide him relief. There are certain precautions and home remedies which can be followed along with the treatment prescribed by a doctor. Here are a few bacterial throat infection remedies.

Fluid Intake
Increase the fluid intake by drinking lots of water, fruit juices and coconut water. Due to a bacterial infection, excess mucus is generated, which becomes thick and sticks to the air passages. Drinking plenty of water helps in thinning this excess, thick mucus and thus, it can be coughed out easily. Drinking hot water when suffering from bacterial infection helps in killing the bacteria present in the throat. Having lime juice in this condition is especially beneficial as it being acidic in nature, helps in preventing the transmission of infection.

Healthy Diet
Include lots of foods which are high in vitamin C in the diet as vitamin C helps in boosting the immune system of the body. A strong, healthy immune system, built by taking a healthy diet, is better equipped to fight a bacterial infection. Foods rich in vitamin C are oranges, lemon, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes and papaya. Foods rich in zinc are also considered to be very good for the immune system, so consume zinc rich foods such as chicken, salmon, lobster, bananas, avocados and blackberries. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, so eat three-four cloves of garlic everyday to fight the bacterial throat infection.

Bacterial Throat Infection - Home Remedies
Refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol as this may aggravate the situation. Gargle thrice a day with warm water and a pinch of salt in it as it will soothe the dry, itchy throat and make swallowing of food easy. Another sore throat remedy is to apply throat sprays or take some throat lozenges, to reduce the swelling of the throat.

These are a few bacterial throat infection remedies which can lessen the symptoms and provide relief. Bacterial infections should not be taken lightly and one should never rely solely on home treatments to cure them.

If the bacterial infection symptoms last more than four days accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever above 101 degree Fahrenheit, difficulty in breathing, severe headache and earache, blood in the phlegm or saliva, phlegm or nasal discharge which is green or yellow in color, and mouth ulcers, contact a doctor immediately as it means that the bacterial infection has become severe and there is a possibility of the person contracting an ear infection or tonsillitis.