Does Amoxicillin Help with a Sore Throat?

Amoxicillin helps with sore throats only when caused by bacterial infections like strep throat. Most sore throats are viral and won't respond to antibiotics. Studies show 85-90% of sore throats in adults are viral, making antibiotics ineffective. Amoxicillin works specifically against streptococcal bacteria, which causes about 10% of adult sore throats and 20-30% in children. Your doctor can perform a rapid strep test to determine if bacteria is present before prescribing antibiotics. Taking antibiotics for viral infections can lead to side effects and antibiotic resistance without providing any benefit.

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