Suggest Remedy For Soreness And Swelling In Throat

My throat has been increasingly sore for five days now. It s red, has some white spots and the tonsils are very swollen. The pain lessens a bit when I take Motrin, but I thought by now it would start going away. I have no fever or cold symptoms with the throat pain and inflamation. I was cultured yesterday and the quick one came out negative for strep but I m waiting to see if the overnight culture is positive. Problem is the doctor s office is closed now for a few days because they are moving and I may not find out till Monday. I have kids that I really don t want to pass this on to. Should I just start an antibiotic or something?