Sore Throat / Tonsillitis / "Strep throat" Treatment:
Overview of a sore throat
A virus is the most common cause of a sore throat, such as:
- Common cold or flu
- Measles
- Mononucleosis
- Chickenpox
- Croup (childhood illness w/barking cough
A bacteria can also be a cause, such as:
- “Strep throat” (Pharyngitis) due to Streptococcus pyogenes (90% of sore throat), or Group A streptococcus
- Respiratory infections:
- Whooping cough
- Diptheria
Other problems that may cause a sore throat:
- Tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils)
- Laryngitis (inflamed voice box)
- Epiglottitis (Inflamed epiglottis)
- Glandular fever
- Quinsy (peritonsillar abscess). Pus-filled pocket forms near the tonsils at the back of the throat causing pain.
- Other causes include irritants (e.g. chemicals, alcohol, smoking / chewing tobacco), allergies, dry air, overuse of voice, excessive vomiting or GERD (due to acid irritation in throat), HIV (due to secondary infection)
Symptoms
Bacterial and viral infections have some common symptoms:
- Redness of the throat
- Red swollen tonsils
A bacterial infection may have additional symptoms, including:
- Swollen uvula
- White spots on tonsils
- Furry gray tongue
DIY treatments for sore throat, tonsillitis, "strep throat"
- Spoonful of Raw Honey / Raw Honey and Lemon tea
- Nebulize Magnesium Chloride;
- Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy; (Nebulize; gargle)
- Chlorine Dioxide Therapy (Nebulize; gargle)
- Grapefruit Seed Extract (oral, gargle)
- Ionic Colloidal Silver (gargle; nebulize; drink)
- Probiotics
