Strep Throat Remedies and Preventions?

[orange_mommy]

I am 14 weeks pregnant. My cousin came over last night and then announced she thinks she has strep throat, ARGHH! I am susceptible to it, and this morning I woke up feeling something coming on. Whether it's strep or not, I want to fight it harshly so that if it IS strep I may be able to prevent coming down with it! When I'm not preggo, I eat tons of raw garlic mixed with honey and a tiny bit of warm water several times a day, and have been able to get rid of it that way. Is there any limit to raw garlic that one should eat during pregnancy? This is assuming I can keep it down, as I'm just now getting over morning sickness. Also, is grapefruit seed extract safe to take while pregnant? Any limits? Can I take both that AND garlic? (Will be taking probiotics to keep up the good bacteria.) I will also be using Aerobic Oxygen, Vitamin C, and everything I can think of.
Why oh why do people not quarantine themselves when they have strep throat?!!!

[orange_mommy]

Also wondering if having strep throat poses any risk to my baby?

[Banana731]

I don't see why your proposed regimin would be a problem.

FWIW, I'm pretty sure my kid has strep right now, and in the research I've done, I have not seen anything specific to lead me to believe that is poses any special risk to pregnant women.

[orange_mommy]

Thank you! I tried to gargle with GSE this morning, and almost threw up. Garlic should be interesting!

[my kidlets and me]

GSE is safe in pregnancy...I took it to get rid of a parasite while I was nursing dd2, and the herbalist said it is safe for pregnant women as well. Not that it is pleasant, mind you! Especially just getting over the m/s...

[HeatherB]

That all sounds good (in my non-professional opinion). My MW always recommends garlic and vit C. Zinc is good but do watch how much you take.

The issue that I'm aware of with strep and pregnancy is more related to birth. The strep bacteria are mostly harmless (i.e., nothing severe) in the throat, but if they enter an open wound, you can have really awful problems. Obviously, at birth you end up with an open wound. I would NOT want to have anyone with untreated strep around at or after the time of birth.

At 14 weeks, you should be fine. Just be sure you do get rid of it.

[mamaki]

Manuka honey (from New Zealand) and apple cider vinegar in boiling water works great for sore throats. Active Manuka honey has many healing properties. It's on the expensive side if you're buying it outside of New Zealand, but it really does work! You can usually get it at health food stores.