Not much: Strep is not just a sore throat. It can cause permanent heart valve damage. Rheumatic heart disease is the name of heart valve damage that was very common before we had penicillin to treat strep. I don't know how you know you have strep, but if you do have it, go see your doctor!
Answered 9/28/2016
5.7k views
Strep throat: Strep throat is a self limited disease. That being said the real reason we treat strep is to prevent a very serious potential side effect that is rheumatic fever. We want to prevent that so you don't get damage to your heart namely damage to the mitral valve. Rheumatic fever damages the valve and can lead to the need for replacement of the valve. So unless you can treat yourself with antibiotics.
Answered 10/3/2016
5.7k views
Comfort care only: You can gargle with salt and take tylenol (acetaminophen) or advil for pain and stink plenty of fluids. But when come to strep infection most likeli will not go away without taking antibiotics. You should see your doctor because strep can cause more problems in long run if left untreated.
Answered 6/9/2013
5.7k views
A doctor has provided 1 answer
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A doctor has provided 1 answer
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your question