Getting rid of strep throat that keeps coming back?

I've always received great health advice on this forum, so here goes:

I've just tested positive for Strep throat for the THIRD time in the past month. I'm about to start my 3rd course of antibiotics, and am really concerned. I don't like the thought of pumping my and my children's bodies full of antibiotics, and so I want this to be the last of it.

Has anyone had this happen to them? What did you do to knock it out? This seemingly endless cycle of strep is starting to really bum me out.

I know to wash sheets and get all new toothbrushes. What else should I be doing? 

OMG, the THIRD time...that is just not on!  Has your doctor given you any advice?  I'm really sorry you guys are sick again. 

Uggh, sorry 

I assume you're taking the full course of antibiotics prescribed to you? 

Sometimes strep can be resistant and takes a few times to find an antibiotic that works 

Strange question for you, but do you have any pets? A girl from work was just telling how they kept getting strep and it was suggested that their family dog was the carrier? Sounds like research on the idea is mixed, but it's an interesting thought. 

Ugh! i know what that can be like. I had a recurring issue with my throat last year that didnt end up getting diagnosed, they said it could be strep, it could be mono, but none of the tests came up positive....so at least you know what you have!  Two questions:

Does your doctor keep prescribing the same antibiotic? It could be that the bacteria in your body has become ''immune'' to it, and should try something else/a higher dosage.

Another thing to remember is to take the full prescription--say you have 10 pills to take, but your throat clears up after you've only taken 4 of them.  It's important to take all 10, just to make sure that every little bit of the bacteria is killed.

I hope you all feel better soon!

You have my sympathies!  Our 8 year old is about to finish her second lot of antibiotics, and I'm waiting my throat culture results to see if I have it.  The 6 year old had a nasty sore throat about 6 weeks ago, treated with antibiotics...and I would bet that she had strep as well.  Sadly, they didn't perform a throat culture on her.  
I remember when I was in second grade (and that is going back a few years!) I kept getting strep over and over.  I went for blood tests, but am not sure what they were testing me for.  I changed schools due to a move at the end of the school year and I stopped getting strep.  I always assumed (probably incorrectly) that someone in my class was carrying the bug and I was the lucky one to get sick from it.  
The only thing I would suggest is to take probiotics.  When I was in the States I bought them from Kirkman Labs
http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/CategoryProductListing@Parent_Category_ID@154.aspx
but any good health food store will carry them.  

Thank you all for suggestions and sympathy! 

Yes, I have been prescribed three different types of antibiotics (although one was a Z-pac, which I understand to be a sort of 'cocktail' of several different antibiotics). And yes, I have finished all of them.

This time, I'm the only one who has it. My son (who I had assumed was the carrier) tested negative. My doctor also thought it was strange that I keep getting it because I don't have my tonsils. 

Strange question for you, but do you have any pets?

Ewww! Yes, I have a dog. That IS an interesting (and very disgusting) thought! I will look into that.

The only thing I would suggest is to take probiotics.  When I was in the States I bought them from Kirkman Labs
http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/CategoryProductListing@Parent_Category_ID@154.aspx
but any good health food store will carry them.

Thanks for that info. I don't know what probotics are, but I'll look into it!

Another thing to try is gargling with warm salt water as that make the environment in your throat less hospitable to nasties and, at least for me, has a soothing affect.

I remember growing up my brother got strep throat a lot; they were thinking about taking his tonsils out even.  Then, once when he was at the doctor he started chewing on this necklace he used to wear (a very manly necklace only worn in the 80's!) so they told him to stop chewing it because the germs might just be sticking around on the necklace.  My parents made him stop wearing the necklace entirely, and I'm pretty sure he hasn't had step throat since then - and this was probably 20 years ago.

So, I guess my suggestion is to think outside the box and think about anything like that that might be carrying the germs.

I'd agree with trying to find something that the germs might be lingering on. I kept getting throat infections whenever I flew for a couple of years - like clockwork, I'd get off the plane and within a day or two I'd have a RAGING sore throat (cultures never came back as strep, but antibiotics always got rid of them). I quit using the pillows and blankets on the plane, and I never had one again. Coincidence? Maybe, but a very big one!!

... they told him to stop chewing it because the germs might just be sticking around on the necklace.

OMG! Nasty!  

Does anyone know how long strep germs hang around? How can I possibly disinfect EVERYthing?!

I'd agree with trying to find something that the germs might be lingering on.

OMG! Nasty!  

Does anyone know how long strep germs hang around? How can I possibly disinfect EVERYthing?!

Maybe just try to be ultra aware of what you're touching every day that could be a major surface that doesn't get washed down (so not dishes, counter tops, toilet, etc.)? Like if I plotted my average day, it would be something like alarm clock, towels, toothbrush, makeup brushes, coffee maker, door knobs, car steering wheel - that sort of thing. I have no idea if it'll help or not, but it's worth a try 'cause there's nothing worse than a sore throat!!

In university I kept having recurring strep infections and the final solutin was that they removed my tonsils.  I was 19. Apparently it is possible for your tonsils to become a location that harbors the strep bug rather than fighting it off. 

Just a tought. Good luck!

Ewww! Yes, I have a dog. That IS an interesting (and very disgusting) thought! I will look into that.

http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2008/05/articles/animals/cats/pets-and-strep-throat/

Your dog is *very* unlikely to be the source of strep!

I'm not a human doctor so I'll leave speculation on what to do about your strep throat infection to them! ;-) I hope you get better soon though! Strep throat is the pits!

Maybe just try to be ultra aware of what you're touching every day that could be a major surface that doesn't get washed down (so not dishes, counter tops, toilet, etc.)?

Thanks for that tip! OK - I've gone through my normal routine with a disinfectant wipe.

Apparently it is possible for your tonsils to become a location that harbors the strep bug rather than fighting it off. 

Yes, I've had my tonsils removed - which is why the doctor is surprised that I keep getting strep.

However, it could be that I never fully knocked it out the first time; so the doctor will do a test in a week to prove one way or the other.

Your dog is *very* unlikely to be the source of strep!

Thank god for that!