Natural Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant URIs in Children

How naturopathic care helped resolve chronic antibiotic-resistant strep infections and immune dysregulation in a 5-year-old female.

Kaitlyn N. Staal, ND, MSAc

Abstract

This pediatric case involved a history of extensive antibiotic use and recurrent infections, including tonsillitis and streptococcal infections. Significant health history began with an RSV hospitalization in 2022. In 2023, the patient experienced an ear infection, pneumonia, four episodes of tonsillitis, and three strep infections. Despite undergoing a tonsillectomy, she continued to test positive for strep, including a confirmed infection in January 2024, followed by a COVID-19 infection in the same month. 

At this point, her pediatric specialists had placed her on a “sick plan,” which included antibiotics, nebulizer treatments, and steroid inhalers at the onset of symptoms. This marked the beginning of naturopathic care. We implemented a natural protocol that included anti-microbial herbs, respiratory-supportive nutrients, and ENT-oriented probiotics. After 6 weeks of consistent treatment,  her mother noticed more robust health, and she tested negative for strep for the first time. Although one recurrence occurred in June 2024 when attempting to wean her off of some of the natural protocol, she has remained strep-free since resuming full support.

Introduction

Streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis (caused by Group A Strep) is a prevalent infection in adults and children worldwide. Chronic carriage prevalence is less common, occurring in approximately 4-5% of adults and 2-20% of children. Chronic carrier status has been known to last from months to years. Conventionally, symptomatic patients who test positive for GAS are treated with antibiotics, though this infection does tend to be self-limiting. Antibiotics are thought to reduce the risk of transmission and carrier status, reduce the duration and severity of illness, and reduce the risk of further health complications. These complications include having the infection spread to other anatomical structures to incite otitis media, peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess, sinusitis, meningitis, bacteremia, or necrotizing fasciitis. It can also lead to immune complications, including acute rheumatic fever, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and reactive arthritis. In this case, despite numerous and varied antibiotic treatments, the patient continued to experience recurrent, symptomatic GAS infections in her throat and ears, as well as systemically as Scarlet Fever, in addition to other respiratory and immune system complications.

Case Presentation

Patient: 5 yo F with a history of the following:

Early History:

• C-section birth, formula-fed
• Early food introduction (4–5 months)
• As a baby was never sick; due to the COVID pandemic, she did not go to daycare or preschool.
• First illness: July 2020 (high fever and vomiting for 24 hours, self-resolved with no subsequent symptoms)

Recurrent Infections history:

• Dec 2021 tested COVID positive, mild presentation 
• May 2022 RSV+, hospitalized x6 days in ICU
• Sept 2022 URI, hospitalized x2 days
• Dec 2022 umbilical hernia repair
• Jan 2023 had an ear infection, then pneumonia, treated with Augmentin 
• May 2023 tonsillitis treated with Azithromycin
• May 2023 tonsillitis treated with Cefdinir
• June 2023 ear infection and tonsillitis treated with Cephalexin 
• July 2023 tonsillitis treated with Cephalexin
• July 2023 Scarlet fever
• Sept 2023 started on asthma meds, tested strep +, treated with Amoxicillin 
• Oct 2023 strep +, treated with Amoxicillin
• Oct 2023 tonsillectomy
• Nov 2023 URI
• Dec 2023 strep +, rhinovirus viral exacerbation, hospitalized x7 days requiring high flow oxygen, treated with Cephalexin. Diagnosed with virus-induced asthma
• Jan 2024 strep+ and COVID+ simultaneously. Ongoing “sick plan” included Flovent, Singulair, and antibiotics as needed.

Initial Evaluation

Pharmaceuticals at Intake:

• Flovent 110mcg 2 puffs BID
• Singular 4mg 1 tablet pm
• Augmentin 5ml BID for strep throat

Supplements at Intake:

• Olly Kids Multi + Probiotic (2 gummies/day since 2022)
• Khroma Herbs “Little Warrior” (½ dropper daily since Dec 2023)
• ACV + B-complex chews (since Sept 2023)
• Vitamin D3 (Vitaworks) 1000 IU (since Sept 2023)

Diagnostic testing:

• All strep tests were performed and reported by her respiratory team 
• General blood testing (CBC, CMP, Thyroid, lead) all WNL for age
• Vitamin D testing declined due to financial concerns. 

Interventions

At our first visit, I immediately recommended a protocol safe to use alongside her pharmaceuticals, to rebalance local and systemic flora (ENT, gut), enhance immune system activity against microbes, and support respiratory health. These recommendations were to replace the supplements she was already taking:

• Two ENT-specific children’s probiotic blends, alternating every other day with one another for broad probiotic support and protection against strep colonization of mucosal membranes
• A daily throat spray, twice per day, containing the following anti-microbial and immune-enhancing herbs:
  • Bilberry fruit extract, Grape seed extract, Shiitake mushroom extract, Goldenseal root, Noni fruit extract, Garlic bulb, White willow bark, Milk thistle seed, Echinacea purpurea herb extract, Echinacea angustifolia root, Raspberry fruit, Black walnut hull, Black walnut leaf, Lavender oil, Oregano oil, Galbanum oil, Tea Tree oil, Fumitory aerial parts extract, Gentian lutea root
• Liquid Vitamin D3 with K2 
• N-Acetyl Cysteine Powder
• A children’s multivitamin containing omegas and active forms of vitamins
• An herbal tincture to support immunity and respiratory health containing: Elderberry Fruit, Licorice Root, Ginger Root, Astragalus, Olive Leaf, Peppermint Leaf, Marshmallow Leaf
• Wet sock treatment as needed for URI and ear symptoms 
• Garlic and mullein ear oil as needed for ear symptoms 

Outcomes & Follow-up 

Since starting the new protocol in January 2024, the conventional sick plan was used twice in the first two months, and after two months on the protocol, she did not need to resort to the sick plan until she caught the flu in December 2024. We did attempt to reduce the natural protocol at the beginning of June, but she ended up with Strep again at the end of June 2024 (the patient was still in school). We returned to the original dosing, and she did not have another illness until the December flu. She continues to test negative for strep as of our last appointment in May 2025.

Discussion

Group A strep is a worldwide health challenge that can result in serious and life-altering complications. This case demonstrates how anti-microbial herbs, repopulating healthy flora, and immune-supportive interventions can succeed where conventional antibiotic treatments have failed, particularly in recurrent and favorable carrier-status conditions.

Conclusion

Utilizing Naturopathic solutions for recurrent strep has drastically reduced overall illness and suffering in this patient, and has eradicated the need for excessively repetitive antibiotic and steroid use. It has allowed her to miss fewer days in school as well as social outings with her peers. The use of herbals, nutrients, and probiotics to eradicate treatment-resistant infections, enhance immunity, and promote overall wellness will surely make way for a healthier and more robust quality of life as this child continues to grow and interact with others and her environment.