A common belief suggests that a shot of tequila or other strong alcoholic beverage can help cure a sore throat, particularly strep throat. While alcohol acts as a disinfectant, ingesting tequila will not treat or cure this bacterial infection. Swallowing alcohol does not deliver a sufficient, sustained dose to the infected tissue or bloodstream to eliminate a bacterial pathogen. Tequila should never substitute for proper medical evaluation and treatment for strep throat.
Why Tequila is Not a Treatment for Strep Throat
Tequila typically ranges from 35% to 55% alcohol by volume (ABV). To effectively kill most bacteria, a concentration closer to 60% to 90% is needed for a sustained period. The liquid only passes briefly over the throat tissues before being swallowed and diluted. This momentary contact is chemically insufficient to sterilize the deeply embedded bacteria causing the infection.
Once swallowed, the alcohol is rapidly metabolized by the liver and does not circulate in the bloodstream at a concentration that could combat a systemic infection. The temporary warmth or mild numbing effect felt after drinking can create a false sense of relief, but this sensation is not an indication of healing. Drinking alcohol actively hinders recovery by contributing to dehydration and interfering with the immune system.
Alcohol and Antibiotics
If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, consuming alcohol can introduce complications. Certain antibiotics, such as metronidazole, cause severe side effects like flushing, headache, nausea, and rapid heart rate when mixed with alcohol. Alcohol consumption can also worsen common side effects like dizziness and upset stomach. It is advised to abstain from alcohol while taking medication and fighting an infection to allow for optimal healing.
The Serious Nature of Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus). Because it is bacterial, it requires targeted treatment with a course of antibiotics. Unlike viral infections, strep throat carries a risk of severe long-term complications if left untreated.
Potential Complications
The most concerning complication is acute rheumatic fever, a serious inflammatory condition that can affect the joints, skin, and heart. Rheumatic fever can permanently damage the heart valves, leading to rheumatic heart disease. Another potential consequence is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory condition affecting the kidneys that can lead to kidney damage.
Medical intervention with antibiotics is necessary to prevent these non-suppurative complications, which can develop even after immediate throat symptoms subside. Antibiotic treatment, typically a 10-day course, must be started promptly—ideally within 48 hours of onset—and completed fully. Relying on an unproven remedy like tequila risks progression to these potentially life-threatening conditions.
Medically Approved Relief for Sore Throats
While antibiotics are required to cure strep throat and prevent serious complications, several medically approved measures can provide comfort for painful symptoms. These comfort measures should only complement the prescribed medical treatment, not replace necessary antibiotics.
- Gargling with warm salt water several times a day. A solution of about one-quarter teaspoon of salt mixed into eight ounces of warm water helps reduce throat swelling and pain.
- Sipping on warm beverages, such as tea with honey or warm broth, to soothe the throat and maintain hydration.
- Sucking on throat lozenges or hard candies to stimulate saliva production, keeping the throat moist and offering temporary relief.
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever and alleviate the intensity of the throat pain.