Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment Of A Sore Throat

3. Treating Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections such as strep throat are treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor only after a throat swab and proper diagnosis have been made. It is important to take the full round of antibiotics even if symptoms disappear as the infection may not be fully cleared. This can cause worsening of symptoms and may allow the virus to spread to other areas of the body. Children who do not take the full round of antibiotics for strep throat are at an increased risk of kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever.