Navigating Treatment: What to take for strep and flu?

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Strep throat accounts for up to 15% of sore throats in adults, while influenza affects millions in the U.S. annually [1.9.1, 1.2.2]. Knowing what to take for strep and flu is crucial, as the correct medication depends entirely on the cause of the illness.

Quick Summary

A clear breakdown of treatments for strep throat and influenza. This summary details the essential differences between antibiotic and antiviral medications and explains how to manage symptoms with over-the-counter relief.

Key Points

Bacterial vs. Viral: Strep throat is a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics, while the flu is a viral illness treated with antivirals [1.3.5, 1.4.4].
Diagnosis is Crucial: A medical diagnosis is necessary to differentiate between strep and flu, ensuring you receive the correct medication [1.11.2].
Antibiotics for Strep: Penicillin and amoxicillin are the first-line antibiotics for strep throat and must be taken for the full course [1.7.3, 1.10.1].
Antivirals for Flu: Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are most effective for the flu when started within 48 hours of symptom onset [1.8.3].
Symptom Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can manage fever and pain for both illnesses [1.5.2].
Complication Prevention: Treating strep throat with antibiotics is critical to prevent serious complications like rheumatic fever [1.3.2, 1.9.4].
Consult a Professional: Always see a healthcare provider if you suspect you have strep throat or if flu symptoms are severe [1.11.3, 1.11.4].

Distinguishing Strep Throat from the Flu

Understanding the fundamental difference between strep throat and influenza (the flu) is the first step toward proper treatment. Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus [1.3.5, 1.6.2]. The flu, on the other hand, is a viral infection caused by influenza viruses [1.4.4, 1.6.4]. This distinction is critical because antibiotics are effective against bacteria but have no effect on viruses [1.3.1, 1.5.5].

Key Symptom Differences

A proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider, often involving a rapid strep test or a flu swab, is essential [1.3.1, 1.11.4]. However, some symptom patterns can offer clues:

Strep Throat Symptoms Often Include: A very painful sore throat that comes on suddenly, pain when swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches), and swollen lymph nodes in the neck [1.6.2]. A cough is notably absent in most cases of strep throat [1.6.3, 1.11.4].
Flu Symptoms Often Include: Fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, cough, and congestion [1.6.4]. While a sore throat can occur with the flu, it is usually accompanied by these other respiratory and systemic symptoms [1.6.4].

Prescription Medications for Strep Throat

Because strep throat is bacterial, it must be treated with antibiotics [1.3.4, 1.3.5]. Treatment helps to reduce symptom duration and, most importantly, prevent serious complications like rheumatic fever (which can damage the heart) and kidney disease [1.3.1, 1.9.2, 1.9.4].

First-Line Antibiotics

The CDC recommends penicillin or amoxicillin as the first-choice treatment for strep throat due to their effectiveness [1.7.3, 1.3.4]. Group A strep bacteria have not shown resistance to these medications [1.7.4]. A standard course of oral antibiotics lasts 10 days, and it is crucial to complete the entire prescription, even if you start feeling better, to ensure all bacteria are eliminated [1.3.2, 1.3.3].

Alternatives for Penicillin Allergies

For patients with a penicillin allergy, healthcare providers may prescribe other antibiotics, such as:

Cephalosporins: (e.g., cephalexin) [1.3.3]
Macrolides: (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin) [1.3.3]
Clindamycin [1.3.3]

Prescription Medications for Influenza (The Flu)

Antiviral drugs are the primary prescription medications used to treat the flu. They do not kill the virus but work by preventing it from replicating in your body [1.4.4]. These drugs are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset [1.8.3, 1.4.5]. They can lessen the severity of the illness, shorten its duration by about a day, and prevent serious complications like pneumonia [1.4.4].

Common Antiviral Drugs

There are four antiviral drugs recommended by the CDC for treating the flu [1.4.4, 1.8.2]:

Oseltamivir (generic or Tamiflu®): An oral pill or liquid taken for five days [1.4.4].
Zanamivir (Relenza®): An inhaled powder, also typically taken for five days. It is not recommended for people with respiratory conditions like asthma [1.8.2].
Peramivir (Rapivab®): Administered as a single intravenous dose by a healthcare provider [1.4.4].
Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza®): A single-dose oral pill [1.4.4].

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Symptom Management

For both strep throat and the flu, OTC medications can help manage symptoms and provide relief while the prescription medications do their work.

For Pain and Fever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) are effective at reducing fever and alleviating pain from a sore throat and body aches [1.5.2, 1.5.4]. It is important to avoid giving aspirin to children and teenagers with flu-like symptoms due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition [1.3.2, 1.5.5].

For Sore Throat

Lozenges and Sprays: Products containing numbing agents like benzocaine or phenol can provide temporary relief [1.5.4].
Soothing Remedies: Gargling with warm salt water, drinking warm liquids like tea with honey, and using a humidifier can also ease throat discomfort [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

For Flu-Specific Symptoms (Cough & Congestion)

Decongestants and cough suppressants can help manage the upper respiratory symptoms common with the flu [1.5.5]. Antihistamines may also help with a runny nose [1.5.4].

Comparison Table: Strep vs. Flu Treatments


Feature	Strep Throat Treatment	Influenza (Flu) Treatment
Primary Cause	Group A Streptococcus bacteria [1.3.5]	Influenza viruses [1.4.4]
Core Prescription	Antibiotics (e.g., Penicillin, Amoxicillin) [1.7.3]	Antivirals (e.g., Oseltamivir, Baloxavir) [1.8.2]
Role of Antibiotics	Essential for cure and complication prevention [1.3.4]	Ineffective against the virus [1.10.2]
Role of Antivirals	Ineffective [1.4.4]	Recommended, especially if started within 48 hours [1.4.5]
Key OTC Relief	Pain/fever reducers, throat soothers [1.5.2]	Pain/fever reducers, cough/cold formulas [1.5.5]
When to See a Doctor	Recommended for diagnosis and prescription [1.11.2]	Recommended for high-risk groups or severe symptoms [1.4.4]

Conclusion

Ultimately, knowing what to take for strep and flu begins with a correct diagnosis from a healthcare professional. Strep throat requires a full course of antibiotics to eradicate the bacterial infection and prevent dangerous complications [1.3.4, 1.9.2]. The flu, a viral illness, cannot be treated with antibiotics but may be managed with antiviral medications if started early, particularly for those at high risk of complications [1.8.3, 1.4.4]. For both illnesses, over-the-counter medications and home remedies can play a significant supportive role in managing uncomfortable symptoms like fever, pain, and sore throat [1.5.2]. Always consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.

For more information on influenza prevention and treatment, you can visit the CDC's official page on Influenza (Flu).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, antibiotics are not effective against viruses like the flu. Taking them for a viral infection is unnecessary and can contribute to antibiotic resistance [1.10.2, 1.3.5].

You should start to feel better within a day or two of starting antibiotics for strep throat. However, you must complete the full 10-day course to completely eliminate the bacteria [1.3.2, 1.3.5].

Antiviral flu medications work best when started within two days (48 hours) of getting sick. Starting them later can still be helpful for those at high risk of complications or who are very ill [1.4.4, 1.8.3].

Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are effective for managing both sore throat pain and fever [1.5.2, 1.5.3].

Yes, antiviral drugs used to treat influenza, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza), and others, are prescription medications that must be prescribed by a healthcare provider [1.4.4].

Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications, including sinus and ear infections, abscesses, kidney disease (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis), and rheumatic fever, which can cause permanent heart damage [1.9.2, 1.9.4].

While symptoms can overlap, a key difference is that the flu often comes with a cough and body aches, whereas strep throat typically does not cause a cough [1.6.3, 1.11.4]. However, a definitive diagnosis requires a test from a healthcare professional [1.3.3].