Whats the quickest natural way to get rid of a sore or strep throat?

also, how do you tell whether it is sore or strep throat? my throat hurts badly like its swollen and my joints aching, but no coughing or mucus. yesterday i was completely fine, no sore throat at all, but last night it just suddenly hit me and keep getting worse. i dont see white bumps in my mouth as far as i can tell.

Robbie	eek! sounds sore i think the Doctor is the only one that could tell you if it was a strep throat or not, but yeah honey's the best natural healer or gargling Aspirin works for me.

josh a	honey and lemon will help your throat so try it to she if it works

Rebecca L	Don't mess around with Strep throat -- it can kill you or, if you survive it, leave you with heart problems. Strep requires antibiotics to cure. A sore throat can be allieviated with salt water gargles and warm drinks. Lemon tea with honey is particularly effective, I think.

tiabia7777	I know how you feel..........I eat a lot of soft peppermints and hot tea. Try to drink hot stuff at all times. The reason why you feel worse doin the night is because, your body is relaxed that usually how most people get sick. Try to take care of it as much as you can cause it get worse before it get better....trust me

tone	Got the same thing two days ago. I made a hot cup of tea with lots of lemon juice and some honey in it. The honey is soothing, but I like the lemon better. You can also add a shot or two of whiskey. Drink the tea, and then bundle up in a warm blanket. You should sweat, sweat, sweat. DO this at least 1X before bed at night,. But if you are home during the day do it also. Also, gargle with salt water at least once an hour. Ge lots of rest and don't worry how much you sleep.

DMG	Only way to know for sure if it is strep is by a throat culture. Strep can move on to infect other areas that can cause life threatening infections. If you are running a high fever and have a sore throat you ought to see a doctor. If you believe it is just a cold, Echinecea can be used to boost immune system functioning. Of course rest and lots of fluids will help make you feel better too.

~Poetry~	Lots of rest and drink plenty of water and eat soup...if it's strep throat you would a weird taste in your mouth, and it would hurt to talk.

RT	You may need to see a doctor because it could be strep and you might have to take pills. Gargle with salt water three times a day; it helps kill virus and bacteria.

ara	try warm water, salt and vinegar in a cup(don't swallow it), hope you get better soon!!

w00t.pwnage_com	Maybe you have an oral STD. I've heard going to the Dr. works well. Strep throat is fairly contagious so are other people around you getting it?

superiorracer	I would obviously do hot tea with honey, but also would gargle with warm water and salt. The salt water helps with all afflictions of the throat. I cant tell you how many times I have had a concert/performance to go to and had a "sore" throat and that cleared it right up.

eauclaire101	slippery elm

iyamacog	Perhaps the easiest solution would be to have a throat culture taken at your local health facility. More likely it's the nose that is the issue. Not the throat. But since you have other symptoms as well, I'd make an appointment with your doc. Whenever I feel anything coming on, such as a scratchy throat, I gargle with peroxide. Foaming at the mouth is NOT fun. However, having a sore throat is worse. ;)

closekids	Yes Beth is correct. Drink hot tea with Lemon and Honey. You might want to try to lay in the bath tub with a hot washcloth over your neck.

Beth	Drink hot tea with honey and lemon.

Vires	Get a penicillin shot for strep throat.

Snowflake	A sore throat is a symptom that can be caused from a lot of things. Most common is viral infection which betters itself within a week or so. If you have this, you can just drink hot tea, spray chloraseptic, etc to soothe it until it goes away. If you have true strep throat, it's caused by the bacteria, Strep A. You have to take an antibiotic such as penicillin to get rid of it or it can involve other things in your body, causing rash and even kidney involvement. There is a quick swab test that can determine if it's this or not at doctor's offices or clinics. Third, it could be post-nasal drip from allergies or other sinus issues. Sooo...if it doesn't go away in a few days, you should get it checked. Good luck and good health!

bettyrubleinspurs	If you suspect strep, get to the doctor. If the doctor tells you it's not strep, gargle with a solution of warm water and table salt. Drink plenty of warm broth. Use a nasal saline spray. When you do use it breathe deeply until it penetrates your sinuses. No worry about becomeing addicted. It's only saline.

Gladys	Get some Sage and chew the leaves. They are a natural antiseptic.

StinkyDec19	take dayquil and drink lots of water and get lots of sleep!! no stressing out. i personally feel all you need to cure a cold is lots of sleep and water. i got rid of my sore throat in less than three days like that....make sure you keep sleeping a lot after you get better. working a lot and not sleeping much can make you sick, lower your immunity.

Guy	I think you need to have a Doc swab your throat to find out if it's strep. I'd gargle with salt water, drink lots of fluids (water and tea... diluted juice) and take 1000mgs of Vitamin C nearly every hour. Sleep alot.

The Broken Doll	If you even suspect strep throat, go to the doctor ASAP! Strep throat left untreated can cause heart problems later in life, and can turn into scarlet fever. I mix a spoonful of honey and lemon juice, and let it sit in the back of my mouth, and then slowly swallow it for a sore throat. You can also mix it with warm tea or water. It helps bunches, I have strep throat right now and have been taking spoonfuls of it all day.