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Suggest Treatment For Severe Sore Throat
Question: had sore throat since friday.. its moderate sore throat i
m eating fine but had really swollen glands.. just feel under the weather i have no other symptoms but that.. i went to the doctor tuesday because it felt like it was getting worse. i dont have tonsils.. they did a rapid test for strep but it came back negative.. the nurse practitioner felt that she should still treat it as strep.. i called today to see if they sent the culture out but they didnt.. they put me on 875mgs 2x a day of amoxicillin for 7 days.. i dont feel like im getting any better but not any worse.. i have severe anxiety so when im under. the weather it gets worse so im shaking inside but exhausted from being sick.. i started the antibotics tuesday night.. what happens if its not strep?.. could this be allergies? ive never had allergies in my life n dont have any
other symptoms of allergies.. n im allergic to antihistamines.. is it to early to be better already?
m eating fine but had really swollen glands.. just feel under the weather i have no other symptoms but that.. i went to the doctor tuesday because it felt like it was getting worse. i dont have tonsils.. they did a rapid test for strep but it came back negative.. the nurse practitioner felt that she should still treat it as strep.. i called today to see if they sent the culture out but they didnt.. they put me on 875mgs 2x a day of amoxicillin for 7 days.. i dont feel like im getting any better but not any worse.. i have severe anxiety so when im under. the weather it gets worse so im shaking inside but exhausted from being sick.. i started the antibotics tuesday night.. what happens if its not strep?.. could this be allergies? ive never had allergies in my life n dont have any
other symptoms of allergies.. n im allergic to antihistamines.. is it to early to be better already?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
While people can have sore throats from allergies, it is a result of post nasal drainage from increased secretions in their sinuses, and there are typically other symptoms that go with this such as itchy nose and sneezing. So what you described does not sound especially like allergies.
Another bit of information: when a rapid strep test is negative, it is 93% likely that you do not have strep.
Amoxicillin should start helping, if it is strep, in 24 hours.
Typically strep causes a significantly sore throat and swollen neck-area glands, but also a fever and pus or whitish exudate on the throat (even if you don't have tonsils) which is visible when looking at the throat. Post nasal drainage, which can be from allergies (which it doesn't sound like you have) or a viral infection too, looks like whitish or clear mucus (not pus) on the very back of the throat.
Most likely you have a viral infection and an antibiotic can't kill viruses, however your own immune system will take care of it. You can try gargling with salt water, putting a hot wet wash cloth on your neck glands, and if you feel you have drainage down your throat, a decongestant might help. Most viral upper respiratory infections take 7-10 days to resolve. It's important to rest and stay hydrated with water.
If, however, your symptoms get worse, you develop a fever, chills, or other symptoms, then do go back in. But most likely I anticipate that you will gradually improve.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information but as I am telling other patients, I will not have computer access from this Saturday to July 1. I can answer any additional questions today or tomorrow though.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
While people can have sore throats from allergies, it is a result of post nasal drainage from increased secretions in their sinuses, and there are typically other symptoms that go with this such as itchy nose and sneezing. So what you described does not sound especially like allergies.
Another bit of information: when a rapid strep test is negative, it is 93% likely that you do not have strep.
Amoxicillin should start helping, if it is strep, in 24 hours.
Typically strep causes a significantly sore throat and swollen neck-area glands, but also a fever and pus or whitish exudate on the throat (even if you don't have tonsils) which is visible when looking at the throat. Post nasal drainage, which can be from allergies (which it doesn't sound like you have) or a viral infection too, looks like whitish or clear mucus (not pus) on the very back of the throat.
Most likely you have a viral infection and an antibiotic can't kill viruses, however your own immune system will take care of it. You can try gargling with salt water, putting a hot wet wash cloth on your neck glands, and if you feel you have drainage down your throat, a decongestant might help. Most viral upper respiratory infections take 7-10 days to resolve. It's important to rest and stay hydrated with water.
If, however, your symptoms get worse, you develop a fever, chills, or other symptoms, then do go back in. But most likely I anticipate that you will gradually improve.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information but as I am telling other patients, I will not have computer access from this Saturday to July 1. I can answer any additional questions today or tomorrow though.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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