Strep Throat Protocol

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus bacteria.  While this is a legitimate concern, the majority of strep throats are actually caused by viruses. Learn about distinguishing the symptoms of strep throat from viral infection and how to support your child's immune system while reducing sore throat symptoms.     

What is Strep Throat? 

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tonsils and throat caused by a bacteria known as group A Streptococcus. Strep throat is highly contagious, though the bacteria can live in a normal human's nose and throat without causing illness. Strep is diagnosed through a rapid strep test, which is what a doctor will use in deciding whether to use antibiotics. 

Symptoms of strep throat include: 

• Sudden-onset sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or pus
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever of 101 or above
• Sometimes nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting
• Headache, sometimes body aches or joint pain
• In some cases a rash can occur on the torso, throat, hands and feet 

Note that these symptoms usually occur without typical cold symptoms like coughing or runny nose. If the sore throat presents along with cold symptoms, Strep is unlikely. 

Is it Strep or is it a Virus? 

All too often what is thought to be strep throat is a viral, not bacterial infection, which may be difficult to decipher.

According to the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, viruses cause 85 to 95 percent of throat infections in adults and children younger than 5 years of age. Viruses cause about 70 percent of throat infections in those aged 5 to 15 years, with the other 30 percent due to bacterial infections, mostly group A strep. 

Unfortunately all to often children are prescribed antibiotics for a sore throat without a positive bacterial culture and this can wreak havoc on their gut and immune system while driving antibiotic resistance. 

Natural treatments should always be the first intervention as they work on both bacterial and viral infections whereas antibiotics will only work for bacterial infection!

In the U.S., about 29% of antibiotics prescribed to children in outpatient settings are inappropriate. Patients who receive inappropriate antibiotics have up to an eightfold increased risk of adverse drug events.

In young children (before age 2), we can see that antibiotic use has an increased risk of developing asthma, allergies and eczema later in life. 

What to do for a Sore Throat 

1) Gargle with Salt Water

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon in 8 oz water and gargle 30 seconds to 1 minute several times per day

Research has shown salt water to be effective in prevention of cold, flu, virus and bacteria infection as well as soothing, sore throat, reducing drainage, and allergy symptoms. 

Salt has been scientifically proven to help draw water out of oral tissues, while creating a salt barrier that locks out water and harmful pathogens from getting back inside. 

This makes salt water gargles valuable for blocking viruses and bacteria, reducing the chance of infections in the mouth and throat, and relieving inflammation in certain cases.

Check out this video where we further discuss the research-supported benefits of gargling salt water and show you how to do it! 

2) Use NanoSilver Spray

During times of illness, take 5 mL (approx 6 sprays) 3 to 6 times daily 

NanoSilver Spray is a highly effective preparation composed of pure silver complexed with purified water. NanoSilver uses Silver Sol Technology®, the term “sol” being a designation of a mineral permanently distributed into the structure of water. The silver permanently becomes a part of that water molecule, so that it will not fall out of the solution or suspension.

This incredibly powerful, non-toxic form of silver has broad-spectrum effects and supports the immune system. It also helps the body maintain a healthy barrier against the intrusion of unwanted organisms. Unlike prescription antibiotics, however, NanoSilver targets specific organisms while sparing the body’s beneficial bacteria. Additionally, it does not interfere with antibiotics, and may even help them work more effectively.

NanoSilver is the safest, most effective form of antimicrobial silver. This formula will kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but cause no damage to the host.

NanoSilver contains 15 ppm of purified silver per serving. This is an incredibly powerful, non-toxic form of silver, which will not build up in the body, so it does not cause argyria (also known as "blue man syndrome").

3) Use Honey to Soothe Sore Throat

According to research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, honey’s healing property is due to its antibacterial activity, ability to maintain a moist wound condition and its thick consistency that helps to create a protective barrier to prevent infection. Studies have found that medical grade honeys have strong bactericidal activity to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause several life-threatening infections in humans.

Honey can be taken on its own by the spoonful, but we find this Fermented Garlic Honey to be an even more effective remedy 

If you don't have Fermented Garlic Honey already made, chopping up a clove of garlic into a teaspoon of honey can work as well. 

You can also use our Herbal Ginger Syrup which contains real honey as well as Wild Cherry Bark, a known anti-inflammatory that can reduce pain and swelling in the throat. Take 3 mL up to 3 times daily.

4) Take Elderberry Plus to Boost Immune Function, Reduce Severity and Duration of Illness

Take 1-2 mL up to 3 times daily

Elderberry Plus combines the antibacterial and antiviral effects of elderberry with astragalus and mushroom extracts for broad spectrum immune support along with wild cherry bark as an anti-inflammatory. Studies show that elderberry has a protective effect against the development of bacterial and viral infections. 

 5) Sip Bone Broth or make Bone Broth Popsicles

Bone broth can help to soothe a sore throat and chicken broth specifically has been shown to inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis which may help with colds and upper respiratory infections. The warm fluid can also promote movement of mucus while keeping you hydrated. 

Bone broth popsicles can be a great choice for a sore throat, helping to numb and cool irritated throat tissues while serving as a delivery for additional immune supporting compounds such as ginger and Vitamin C. Check out this video and keep these stocked in your freezer for times of illness. 

A Note on Probiotics 

If your child does have strep throat confirmed via rapid strep test and needs an antibiotic, you can still do all of the above to help their body manage the infection and reduce severity of symptoms. We'd also recommend use of a probiotic to reduce antibiotic associated diarrhea and the potential for dysbiosis. 

Rebuild Spectrum Probiotic can be opened into a bite of food such as yogurt or applesauce or mixed with raw honey, take 1 capsule daily during and for at least 2 weeks post antibiotic.  

REFERENCES

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15925660/

Association of Inappropriate Outpatient Pediatric Antibiotic Prescriptions With Adverse Drug Events and Health Care Expenditures. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35616940/

Influence of antibiotic use in early childhood on asthma and allergic diseases at age 5. https://www.annallergy.org/article/s1081-1206(17)30390-3/fulltext

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement . Healthcare guideline: acute pharyngitis, general implementation. www.icsi.org. 

 Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections by Gargling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16242593/

Respiratory Tract Infections and its Preventive Measures among Hajj Pilgrims, 2010: A Nested Case Control Study https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3793484/

Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: A school-based randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28914244/

 Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration and Symptoms in Air-Travellers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27023596/

Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(15)37721-7/abstract