Antibiotic drugs help stop the growth of bacteria. Drugs belonging to a broader spectrum help arrest the progression of a wide range of bacterial strands. However, administering these meds for viral or fungal infections may fetch no results. Active ingredients of antibiotics attack the membranes of microbial cells and destroy their existence. Using such drugs when there is no bacterial infection can develop resistance and may impair the drugs’ efficacy. In this light, what is the best known antibiotic drug for the treatment of strep throat? It is essential to know more in this regard.
Broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs can treat large variety of infections. On the other hand, a narrow-spectrum drug is capable of treating infections caused by one or a few strands of the microbe. You also need to know aerobic and non-aerobic variants of bacteria; the former needs oxygen for its sustenance whereas latter does not require it. In some remote cases, your treating physician may administer some drugs to prevent the likely onset of bacterial infections; such use is termed as the prophylactic usage of antibiotic meds.
The best antibiotic meds for treating strep throat
There are many forms of antibiotic meds available in drugstores and online pharmacies. Of these drugs, amoxicillin (a form of penicillin) is widely regarded as the first-line / best treatment for treating strep throat. Such usage has a strong commendation from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC.
However, there are people who are allergic to penicillin-based drugs / antibiotics. Upon administering drugs they are allergic to, these users may develop adverse side effects and unwanted allergic reactions. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a narrow-spectrum antibiotic med like cephalosporin, azithromycin or clindamycin.
Doses for antibiotics to treat strep throat
Dosage strength of any of the above antibiotic meds can change based on your body weight and age. The dosage plan is selected based on what suits your system and is also influenced by the severity of infections. In case of children and teens, oral administration of penicillin is in the range of 250 milligrams (mg) 2 times each day. In case of an acute infection, the frequency of intake is increased to thrice within each 24-hour timeline. Such dosage plans are never taken for more than 9 days’ time. In case of adults, the dosage plan is altered to 500 mg 2 times every day or 250 mg taken three times per day. These dosage plans are not pursued beyond a period of 10 days.
For oral form of amoxicillin: dosage plan hovers at 25 mg per kg of body weight – as two distinct doses – for a period of 9 days – for children. On the other hand, for adults, the strength can be enhanced till 50 mg per kg of body weight for upto 10 days; here again – doses are administered as 2 doses every day of the treating duration.
You need to know that strep throat may get cured on its own. But, in some cases, if left unattended, you run the risk of developing a few medical conditions and complications. These can include abscesses, severe spell of rheumatic-fever and / or mastoiditis. Upon seeing the first few signs of bacterial infection, it is important to opt for a positive rapid antigen detection testing; such procedure is also labelled as rapid streptococcal tests.
Use of one of the above antibiotic meds has resulted in lessening the duration of signs of strep throat and minimise the odds of transmission of infections among friends and family. Last but not least, timely intake of antibiotics can also reduce the likely onset of other acute medical conditions such as episodes of rheumatic-fever.