Does anybody have any advice on what I should avoid or do to help with strep throat???
I am on an antibiotic...but still feeling really bad. Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid...or things I should eat or drink that might help?
I know getting plenty of rest is a must...but I have to go to work. I can not afford to miss anymore...and actually my employer will not allow me to miss anymore. I also have a 2 yr old child and am a single mother...so resting when I get home is very rare too.
Taking aspirin should help with the throat pain and any body aches some. Also if your throat is really sore drinking salt water really helps a sore throat. Put about 1/4 tsp into a 8 oz. glass. If the water is a little warm that sooths also. It doesn't taste the greates but it really works for pain. If you are extremely tired which normally goes along with any cold or strep caffeine is really the only thing that will wake you up unless you can get plenty of sleep but from the sounds of it that is not easy for you to get the opportunity to do. The anti-biotics should kick in soon and start making you fell a lot better also.
I'd probably stay away from the aspirin and use Tylenol instead. Aspirin has an anticlotting agent and I would think that you wouldn't want to use anything that causes bleeding.
The salt water solution is really best.
Stay away from foods that normally irritate your throat - toast, pretzels, potatoe chips, hot or spicy foods are probably not a good idea.
Continue to monitor your temperature and you should be better soon.
Ibuprofen works for me. It's an anti-inflammatory so works at taking the swelling down. Ice Cream, milkshakes, or those Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks work well too. For eating, cold food is comforting, but drinking I prefer warm drinks.
If you're on antibiotics you should be feeling better soon.
Just a suggestion, but GARGLING with the salt water and not actually swallowing it is probably best. The extra salt is probably something you don't need. Last time I had a really sore throat, I found that hot chicken broth was great. Drink plenty of fluids and rest when you can. The antibiotics should be doing their thing for you real soon!
