What a load of ‘S’ – Sore Throats, Strep, Scarlet Fever and Sinusitis
It’s all over the mainstream media at the moment isn’t it, and interestingly just a few weeks after the ‘flu mist’ was administered to the majority of our children. If you would like to research the causation, then please read the medical articles I have added at the bottom of this blog.
But here’s another ‘S’ for you = Solutions……….
Do not buy into the fear-mongering we are being bombarded with yet again. There are safe and effective treatments for these conditions, that will not impact your health after. If anything, they will strengthen the detoxification systems in the body which is why we have coughs, colds and flues in the first place. They are the body’s natural cleansing processes – so depending on how ‘clean’ you are, will depend on whether you need to go through a process of ridding them – and that process consists of mucus, discharge, catarrh, phlegm or perhaps diarrhoea. Coughing, snotting, sweating (fevers) are just mechanism to rid the body of toxins. Don’t forget our mental and emotional health can also play a part in these so called dis-eases. Many times whilst prescribing, I discover people become sick after an emotional upset. Bad news, grief, shock all take their toll on our bodies and we all react and respond differently. Have you ever wondered why not everyone in the family gets sick? And when they do, it is often a shared event affecting everyone in the household.
One thing I really want to mention is the role a fever plays in how our bodies response to agitants. High temperatures and fevers are the body’s first line of defence. It is how it fights infection and the fever is a healthy response, the body is doing its job. The over use of drugs to suppress a fever will work against your body and will more than likely prolong the illness. It could also increase the potential of sepsis because you have removed the fever, allowing the bacteria to seep into the blood.
So lets get to the solutions shall we…….
Sore Throats
Viral Infections – often pharyngitis or laryngitis
Bacterial Infections
Tonsillitis – can be both bacterial and viral
Strep Throat
Respiratory or Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
There are a number of other possible causes of sore throats – too many to mention here in this little blog but some causes include scarlet fever, measles, chicken pox, hand, foot and mouth dis-ease.
Let’s look at possible remedies. I would highly recommend you seek the advice of a homeopath with regards to which remedies to use. They will be able to help by prescribing the correct remedies pertaining to your individual symptoms. They will also be able to help with repetition of remedies and the strength to use. The list here contains just some of the main remedies we use in homeopathy – just to give you an idea of healthy alternatives to antibiotics. There are around 4,000 remedies within our tool kits, all with their own unique symptom pictures. Of course if symptoms persist, then seek medical advice……
Aconite – I always prescribe this to my clients to use for the first sign of any illness. To be taken every half hour up to 6 doses. This will often support the body’s ability to heal itself in those early stages and often results in the illness not progressing any further or that the time in which a person is sick is dramatically shortened. There will be a sudden onset, often caused from becoming cold or from being out in dry cold winds. Shock or fright can also be triggers. The patient will be chilly, feverish and will be thirsty – gulping down liquids. There will be a restlessness around them and often feel frightened.
Baryta Carb – This remedy has an affinity to the glands especially the tonsils. There will be swelling, mucus problems and nose and ears can also be affected. Tonsillitis remedy especially if it is recurrrent.
Belladonna – Sudden onset of a fever especially in children. They can be delirious, have dilated pupils and be radiating heat (no sweat) but oddly have cold feet or hands. The key note of this remedy is redness, inflammation, hot and throbbing symptoms. A great go to for red inflammed throats. This is also an indicated remedy for tonsillitis and scarlet fever.
Ferrum Phos – a slower onset of illness and a great remedy for children, especially at the beginning of a cold, sore throat. They can look flushed and feel weary, lethargic etc. They will be thirsty and can have cold feet/hands. Another remedy for tonsillitis.
Lachesis – The sore throat is worse left side and for swallowing liquids – drinks and saliva. The pains are worse for hot or warm drinks.
Mercurius – Often glands will swell with a cold or sore throat. The throat will feel raw, and have smarting and burning pain. There can be a feeling of dryness to the throat with increased saliva and the need to continually swallow. There are other versions of Merc to consider when it comes to sore throats, tonsillitis etc – it would all depend on the individual symptoms of the patient and whether there were ulcers or pustules on the tonsils.
Nit-Ac – Splinter like pains in the throat which are worse on swallowing. The tonsils will be red, swollen, uneven with small ulcers on them.
Phosphorus – Dryness of throat with a feeling of rawness and roughness. The symptoms will often then move to the lungs in those patients needing this remedy. The tonsils will often be enlarged and the uvula, that dangling bit at the back of the throat will be elongated.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever which can also be referred to as Scarlatina, is an infectious bacterial illness. The symptoms can include:-
Red rashes: They typically appear on the face, neck, extending to the trunk, arms and legs. The rash can look like sunburn and when pressure is applied to them, will go pale. The face will appear flushed.
Red lines: Red lines may appear in skin folds around the elbows, knees, neck, armpits and groins etc. These will appear more red than the surrounding rashes.
Strawberry tongue: This is a key symptom where tongue looks bright red, bumpy covered with a white coating looking very much like a strawberry.
Other symptoms: a high fever, sore, red, inflammed throat, difficulty in swallowing, the glands will be enlarged in the neck and the patient could have nausea, vomiting, and a headache.
During the 19th century there were significant epidemics of scarlet fever, but now the disease is very rare. Conventional medicine has never thought scarlet fever to be a serious illness but in September 2019 The Lancet announced that there was a new Strepococcus A strain that was causing scarlet fever.
“Since 2014, England has seen increased scarlet fever activity unprecedented in modern times. In 2016, England’s scarlet fever seasonal rise coincided with an unexpected elevation in invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections” .
Please read the research paper below that could give us the reason why we are seeing such an increase again. It is conventionally treated with antibiotics and anti-pyretic drugs till the fever and inflammation subside. However, a wide range use of antibiotics lately has made Streptococci highly resistant to most antibiotics. This has caused frequent appearance of ‘atypical scarlatina’ where a rash is not present, but the samples test positive for beta-haemolytic streptococci.
Let’s look at some remedies that will help……
Aconite – as discussed above, this can be given at the first sign of illness. If there is restlessness, dry skin, fever and chills, then consider this remedy.
Apis – Scarlet fever with throat complications – the fauces which is the narrow area at the back of the throat, from the mouth the the pharynx, will be swollen and the patient will describe the pain as stinging. They will have a fever but will be thirstless.
Baptisia – There will be a rapid onset of the illness and with much lethargy. They will have a drowsy look about them and feel sore with heavy, aching muscles. The skin will appear dusky, mottled and be darkly flushed. Tongue may have a yellowish-brown streak down the middle. This remedy has an affinity to the blood so often used in septic conditions (there are other remedies pertaining to this, so seek the advice of a homeopath).
Belladonna – Rapid high temperature, with the patient radiating heat – no sweat. Their pupil can be dilated and there will be a pronounced red rash on the skin. Their tongue will look like a strawberry and their throat will be bright red. During my research I came across this little gem from an old article that states “when there is scarlatina in the family, Belladonna 30c can be diluted in a tumbler of water, and let each member of the household take a spoonful night and morning” as a prophylactic = preventative
Bryonia and Rhus Tox – If the joints are affected, then consider using either one of these two remedies. If they are worse for movement, then look at Bryonia. If the patient is restless and better for continued motion then look at Rhus tox.
Scarlatinin – This maybe given in any stage of the illness, either alone or along side other indicated remedies.
Please seek the help of an experienced homeopath who will be able to help decipher the best remedies for you or the patient. Many of the remedies mentioned can be combined but again, only a homeopath will be able to advise on this. If symptoms prolong, then please seek further medical advice.
Sinusitis
This is the condition when the tissue surrounding our sinuses swells up or inflames. It can then create fluid or heavy mucus that builds up inside the sinus by an allergic condition. The blockage of sinuses can then lead to germ growth causing an infection. It may be the effect of the virus, fungi, bacteria, or allergic reaction. A sinusitis condition can be really painful but there are remedies at hand, here are just a few…..
Hydrastis – Catarrh is thick, yellow, acrid (burns), and is ropy in consistency. Can have burning in nose.
Kali-Bic – Catarrh is sticky, stringy, green-yellow in colour and is hard to get out. Can also have post nasal mucus which makes the patient want to hawk.
Nat Mur – the frontal sinuses are inflammed and the discharge is watery and thin – a bit like raw egg white. Can also have loss sense of taste and smell.
Pulsatilla – Patient can complain of a bad smell up their nose. Sinusitis with thick green, yellow mucus which is bland (not burning) and they are better for fresh air. They also tend to be weepy and clingy.
Silica – great for obstinate colds along with a possible ear infection. The discharge will burn and can contain traces of blood. Burning, shooting pains, with a drawing pain at the root of the nose. These patients are extremely chilly.
Always seek the advice of an experienced homeopath.
Other Self Help Aids
Vitamin C – Research show that high doses of Vitamin C are really beneficial during these times. Elderberry syrup is a good source, especially for children. Give this every few hours until child shows sign of improvement, then reduce it down. Another way to determine your individual need for vitamin ‘c’ is bowel tolerance. Once your body has had enough, any excess will be secreted through your bowel and you will start to get a loose bowel movement, stool. You can at that point stop or reduce down.
Colloidal Silver – this comes in a spray and is good for sore throats. It is safe to use topically and may offer instant relief. It is also safe to swallow. I have also heard this is good to apply topically to various skin complaints.
Epsom Salt Bath – these wonderful salts help draw out toxins. A small cup of salts added to bath water 1-2 times a week has amazing results. It’s something most of us could benefit from if we did this once a week – there are so many toxins around us. The experts do recommend though, do not stay in the bath for longer than 20 minutes though. Your body will start to reabsorb everything its just drawn out! 😉
Home Made Chicken Broth Soup – one of our Granny’s favourites! The thing is, its not an old wives tale. There are many benefits from consuming this during times of illness. It contains glutamine which is good for our gut health and loads of vitamins and minerals. It will also help keep the body hydrated. Remember hydration is vital during times of sickness. A pinch of a good salt (not table salt!) himalayan, celtic will do. This will help re-mineralise the body. A couple of crystals along with fresh lemon or lime juice and honey in clean water will help keep the body hydrated.
I truly hope this has been an interesting read for you all. There are so many effective treatments out there without resorting to drugs. When you have a toxic body, the last thing it needs is more toxins. Our bodies are incredible vessels that, at times, just need nurturing. Our children are our most precious gifts, so let’s take care of them through good nutrition, health and happiness – naturally x
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References and Research
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-79713-0
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4910891/
https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/mBio.01040-13
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/10/001018075252.htm
One Comment on “What a load of ‘S’ – Sore Throats, Strep, Scarlet Fever and Sinusitis”
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Sum Dea 
This is a Fabulous & Informative blog post. Thank you so much for sharing factual solutions to add to our tool kits, at a time when many are pedalling fear. 🫶
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