From the Research
Silver-infused towels are not effective at preventing streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). There is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that silver-infused towels can prevent or treat strep throat infections. Strep throat is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, not through towel use. While silver does have some antimicrobial properties in certain applications, these properties don't translate to preventing strep throat when incorporated into towels 1. To effectively prevent strep throat, focus on proven methods like:
- Regular handwashing with soap and water
- Avoiding close contact with infected individuals
- Not sharing food or drinks
- Covering coughs and sneezes If you develop symptoms of strep throat (severe sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes), see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, which typically involves antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin for 10 days to eliminate the bacterial infection 2. The most recent and highest quality study on the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis recommends using clinical decision rules to assess the risk of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection, followed by rapid antigen testing if a diagnosis is unclear, before prescribing antibiotics 2.