Being sick with a sore throat when you are pregnant may be one of the worst things in the world. If you think that you might have strep throat, you may need to relax and take care of yourself to get rid of these symptoms, but you do not necessarily have to worry that your baby is in danger. Usually, a sore throat is not a sure symptom of strep throat. Your sore throat could be the result of irritation due to allergies. A strep test performed by your doctor can make you clearer about whether you get strep infection.

Common Symptoms of Strep Throat During Pregnancy

As your body changes to accommodate your pregnancy, you will be feeling a lot of new things. Watching your symptoms can help you determine if you have strep throat. You may not have all symptoms, but a combination of key signs could indicate an infection. Symptoms can include:

  • Red, swollen tonsils
  • Throat pain
  • White spots on the tonsils or throat
  • Headache
  • Inflammation in the throat
  • Difficulty in swallowing or eating
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Enlargement of your lymph nodes
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nausea
  • Cough
  • Abdominal pain

Is Strep Throat During Pregnancy Dangerous?

Strep throat during pregnancy is not especially dangerous, particularly if you get a diagnosis and start treatment as quickly as possible. Antibiotics like cephalosporin or penicillin that is normally used to treat strep throat are also safe during pregnancy.

Most importantly, you need to take care of the fever symptom which could be dangerous for your baby. Fever during the first trimester could prevent your baby’s internal organs from forming. Once you experience fever, start working immediately to reduce it. If you have a persistent fever during pregnancy, contact your doctor or midwife to check on the status of your baby and determine what further treatment can be needed.

How to Deal with Strep Throat During Pregnancy

1. Medical Treatment-Antibiotics

The common medical treatment of strep throat during pregnancy can be antibiotics. Amoxicillin and penicillin are safe to use during pregnancy. Some may also prescribe cephalexin if the infection also affects the tonsils or sinuses.

Antibiotics should be taken according to the instructions to ensure that you do not experience an overdose. If symptoms persist, acetaminophen can help to reduce the fever caused by strep throat. An anesthetic throat spray can also assist to soothe the discomfort and irritation in your throat.

Remember that you have to be careful to take the antibiotics with a recommended dosage. Otherwise, it will set risks for both you and your baby.

2. Home Remedies

You should only rely on home remedies for mild strep throat. If you have severe symptoms of strep throat, you need to consult your doctor immediately. A list of home remedies can be seen as below:

  • The quickest way to get rid of strep throat at home is to try gargling with warm salt water, which is also the most common remedy for managing a sore throat. Gargling with salt water can help to remove bacteria which can further cause the infection. You can also add garlic or cayenne pepper to the water you gargle to help ease the pain.
  • Garlic is a natural antibiotic which could help to reduce strep throat symptoms. There are two ways to use garlic to reduce strep throat in pregnancy naturally.

First, you can chew a clove of garlic and let the juice flow down to your strep throat. Remember that you just need to keep the garlic in your mouth and don’t swallow it. Mixing the garlic and onion can have a better effect.

Another way to apply garlic to relieve strep throat is to add one teaspoon of grated garlic, 1/4th teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to a cup of hot water. All of the ingredients can work for fighting with the bacteria with antiseptic properties. Besides garlic, the onion decoction can also available to relieve strep throat naturally.

  • You can try chamomile tea to relieve strep throat during pregnancy under your doctor’s advice. Chamomile can assist to relieve fever and pain naturally.
  • Sipping 8 ounces of water with 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar can also help to kill off bacteria in the throat.
  • Those who experiencing nausea from pregnancy might find that tea made with lemon, honey and ginger will help to manage this condition along with their sore throat. Sipping lemon tea with cinnamon is also a helpful way to reduce discomfort.
  • Try to stay in warm, humid rooms that will not irritate your throat further.

Usually, you can get rid of strep throat at home if you follow the remedies above. Immediate medical help should be required when you have severe symptoms. In some exceptional situations, you are suggested to consult your doctor ahead of other treating methods. After all, you are in a significant period, you will never be too much cautious to cope with strep throat during pregnancy.

3. Tips on Preventing Strep Throat During Pregnancy

Getting plenty of fluids to stay hydrated will reduce your risk of infection while you are pregnant. Besides, you are more likely to be exposed to germs when you have been out in public, then you should also work to wash your hands regularly.

Some natural remedies are shared in the following video: