Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat And Nasal Congestion
indicators of strep
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
She is most likely just getting a viral upper respiratory infection. The indications that her sore throat are a strep infection requiring antibiotics are 1) inflamed throat with white patches, 2) fever, 3) swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck and 4) no cough. The more of these symptoms she has the more likely it is she has strep. If it is a strep infection she would need to see a doctor in the next few days to get an antibiotic. Antibiotics are really to protect her from the complications of strep which can damage the heart and kidneys.
If she just has a viral infection she will probably have cough, congestion, sore throat and she may develop a runny nose. She may possibly have a low grade fever or even a below normal temperature.
The best she can do for a viral infection is to push fluids and take ibuprofen or naproxen for fevers.
I hope she is feeling better soon and that she does great on her boards.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson