What Foods Should You Avoid During a Strep Throat Infection?

Strep throat is largely common in school-aged and younger children, affecting 600 million people worldwide annually, most of them children. It is contagious, painful and one of the best explanations for grumpy children.

While it can be easily treated with antibiotics, the infection leads to inflammation and throat pain. As a parent, you may be wondering what foods your child should avoid during a strep throat infection. Let's ask the online doctors for strep throat at TelMDCare what they think!

 

A mother giving her daughter medical treatment for flu before bedtime


Some of the Signs of Getting a Strep Throat:

The earliest symptoms of strep throat include soreness in throat that starts out of nowhere. Other signs include:

  • Fever
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Red spots developing on the roof of the mouth
  • Red rashes on the body
  • Swollen neck glands
  • Swollen tonsils
  • Headache
  • Stomach-related issues such as pain in the stomach, vomiting, or nausea
  • Loss of appetite

Since kids are more likely to get infected by strep throat, it is crucial to be highly cautious and deal with them as gently as possible.

Foods To Avoid During a Strep Throat Infection:

When dealing with strep throat, a certain amount of caution is crucial when it comes to food. Some foods irritate the throat or make swallowing difficult, and these foods need to be avoided in order to recover:

  1. Foods and drinks that are acidic can be highly irritating for a sore throat, such as citrus fruits and juices, sodas, and tomatoes.
  2. Spicy foods are also known to irritate the throat and make matters worse.
  3. Foods that are hard and crunchy can be a bit harsh on the throat as they can scratch an already fragile throat. Avoid chips, raw vegetables, and crackers.
  4. Beverages that are too hot can also increase throat irritation, so it is better to avoid them.
  5. Anything that can potentially dehydrate the body or throat also needs to be strictly avoided, such as alcohol.
  6. Even foods that are considered dry or rough should not be consummed by somebody infected with a strep throat. These include dry cereals or toast, which are hard to swallow.
  7. Sugary Foods and drinks feed on bacteria and may prevent the infection from getting better.

 

Little boy checking his body temperature


Final Word of Advice From TelMDCare

Instead of foods that may cause more damage, it is wise to opt for soft, soothing foods that will not impact the throat negatively and can be swallowed easily, such as broths, cooked vegetables, soups, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and so on.

Seeking a doctor's professional opinion can give you more options. Visit TelMDCare to receive the best strep throat treatment online. 

Worried about going to the clinic and waiting for hours? TelMDCare connects you with an experienced virtual doctor for strep throat so you can get the treatment plan and guidance from a trained expert, all from the comfort of your home.

Book your appointment today for just $39!