What to do about Strep Throat without antibiotics

[tjlucca]

I am 14 weeks pregnant and I'm pretty sure I have strep. What can I do at home to avoid antibiotics? Also, it is my understanding that strep is mostly antibiotic resistant and is not often prescribed. Thanks in advance. I feel awful. 

[ssh]

Penicillins and cephalosporins are the antibiotics of choice for strep and are considered safe during pregnancy. Step can turn into rheumatic fever (inflammatory arthritis), acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation). It can sometimes cause kidney failure. All of those would be worse for an unborn baby than penicillin.

 

[thixle]

You absolutely need antibiotics with strep throat. It can progress to scarlet fever, kidney problems, and rheumatic fever (which has it's own subset of horrible symptoms)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003940.htm

It is not true that MOST strep is abx resistant. Some can be resistant to the first line abx (like amoxicillin), in which case, you would have to get stronger abx to fight it. Strep is not something you can fight on your own without serious consequences. 

Can I ask why you are trying to avoid antibiotics?

*eta, what ssh said -- had to chase a kiddo before I could hit submit, lol

[WildKingdom]

Group A strep is almost universally susceptible to plain old penicillin.

[tjlucca]

Just got back from the ER, penicillin in hand. Thanks everyone :)