Can Antibiotics Prevent Strep?

[sreese68]

My husband had lunch yesterday with a coworker, and they shared chips and salsa. Coworker called this morning to say he has doctor confirmed strep and a 103 fever! Sigh

[rosetapper23]

First, Amoxicillin is not very effective against Strep--the co-worker should have been prescribed either Penicillin or Septra for strep. As someone who has contracted Rheumatic Fever twice (once from undertreated strep), I know the most effective antibiotics to treat strep. However, that said, I don't think it's wise to take antibiotics to PREVENT a disease because of the destruction to the gut flora.

Your husband should be very careful to wash his hands when at home and avoid contact with household members for the next week. If he feels a sore throat coming on, he should immediately seek medical attention and request Penicillin (the most effective treatment for strep) while testing is completed. He can always stop taking it if it turns out he doesn't have strep.

[mbrookes]

The over-use of antibiotics is a major cause in the development of untreatable infections due to mutation of bacteria. Try not to take antibiotics unless necessary (as with strep)and be sure to take the full prescibed course. Antibiotics are not preventative drugs.