You wake up and it feels like you swallowed a handful of jagged glass. Maybe even rusty glass. It’s that specific, localized, "oh no" pain that makes you dread the next time you have to gulp. If you’re sitting there wondering how to get rid of a strep throat, let’s be real: you probably want a magic wand or a secret gargle that clears it up by lunchtime.
I’ve seen people try everything. They drink apple cider vinegar until their teeth hurt or dump half a bottle of cayenne pepper into tea because a blog told them the capsaicin would "burn out" the bacteria. Here’s the cold, hard truth that most people hate hearing. Strep throat isn't a common cold. It isn't a viral tickle. It is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus.
Because it’s bacterial, you can’t just "wait it out" like a flu and expect it to vanish without a fight. Well, you can, but you’re flirting with some pretty nasty complications like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis).
The Reality of How to Get Rid of a Strep Throat
The only definitive way to kill the infection is antibiotics. Period.
I know, everyone wants to be "natural" these days. But bacteria don't care about your aesthetic. When that rapid strep test at the clinic comes back positive, the doctor is going to hand you a prescription for Penicillin or Amoxicillin. If you’re allergic to those, they’ll probably go with Cephalexin or Azithromycin.
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You’ll start feeling better in about 24 to 48 hours. It’s tempting—so tempting—to stop taking the pills once the "glass shards" feeling leaves your throat. Don't do that. Seriously. When you stop early, you’re basically hosting an Academy Award-winning training camp for "superbugs." The strongest bacteria survive, mutate, and come back twice as hard. Finish the whole bottle.
How do you know it’s actually strep?
It’s easy to confuse a bad viral sore throat with strep. But strep has "tells." Look in the mirror. Use your phone flashlight. Are there white patches or streaks of pus on your tonsils? Are there tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae?
One big giveaway is what’s missing.
Usually, if you have a cough, a runny nose, and red eyes, you’re looking at a virus. Strep is a "dry" illness in the respiratory sense. You get the fever, the swollen lymph nodes, and the throat pain, but you aren't usually sneezing or coughing up a storm. According to the CDC, if you have a cough, it’s much less likely to be strep.
Managing the Pain While the Meds Kick In
Since the antibiotics take a day or two to really move the needle, you need a survival strategy. This is where the "home remedies" actually have a place—not as a cure, but as a distraction for your nervous system.
1. The Salt Water Flush
It sounds like something your grandma made up, but it works on a molecular level. Use about a half-teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. The salt creates an osmotic pressure that draws excess fluid out of the inflamed throat tissues. It shrinks the swelling. It’s not killing the strep, but it’s making the "room" smaller for the bacteria to hang out in.
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2. Temperature Wars
Some people swear by hot tea with honey. Honey is actually great; a study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggested it might even be superior to usual care for improving upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. It coats the throat.
On the flip side, some people find heat makes the inflammation feel "throbbing." If that's you, go for the popsicles. Cold numbs the nerve endings. It’s basically a localized anesthetic.
3. Painkillers are your best friend
Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) is generally better than Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for strep because it’s an anti-inflammatory. It attacks the swelling itself. If you’re really struggling to swallow, taking an NSAID about 30 minutes before you try to eat a bowl of soup can make a massive difference.
The "Dirty" Truth About Reinfection
You can get rid of the bacteria in your body, but if you don't clean your environment, you’re just going to invite it back for a sequel.
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The Toothbrush Rule
Throw your toothbrush away. I’m serious. The moment you’ve been on antibiotics for 24 hours and you’re no longer contagious, toss it. Those bristles are a porous playground for Streptococcus. If you keep using the same brush, you might just reinfect yourself or prolong the agony.
The Pillowcase Swap
You’ve been drooling, sweating, and breathing all over your bedding while sick. Wash your pillowcases in hot water.
Stop Sharing Everything
Strep is incredibly contagious. It travels via respiratory droplets. If you’re sharing a water bottle or a spoon with your partner or kid, you’re basically passing a "fever grenade" back and forth.
When to Panic (Or Just Go to the ER)
Most cases of strep are straightforward, but sometimes the bacteria gets aggressive. If you find that you’re drooling because it hurts too much to swallow your own saliva, that’s a red flag. It could mean you’re developing a peritonsillar abscess—basically a pocket of infection behind the tonsil that might need to be drained by an ENT.
Other "get to the doctor now" signs:
- Difficulty breathing.
- A "sandpaper" rash on your chest or neck (this is Scarlet Fever, which is just strep with a fancy coat).
- Your urine looks like the color of cola (this indicates kidney issues).
- You can’t open your mouth all the way.
Practical Steps to Take Right Now
If you think you have strep, don't play the "wait and see" game for a week.
- Book a rapid test. Most urgent cares can give you a result in 15 minutes. Even if the rapid test is negative, if you have all the symptoms, ask them to send out a "throat culture." The culture takes 48 hours but it’s much more accurate.
- Hydrate like it’s your job. Dehydration makes your mucus thicker and your throat more irritated. Even if it hurts, sip water constantly.
- Check your temperature. Keep a log. Doctors love data. If your fever isn't breaking with Ibuprofen, they need to know.
- Isolate. You are a walking biohazard until you've had at least two or three doses of antibiotics in your system. Stay away from the elderly and infants especially.
The process of how to get rid of a strep throat is ultimately a partnership between modern medicine and basic hygiene. Use the drugs to kill the bugs, use the salt water to soothe the fire, and clean your gear so it doesn't come back. You'll be back to eating solid food and talking without wincing in no time.