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Suggest Treatment For Throat Infection

Posted on Sat, 8 Feb 2014

Question: Hi Dr. Grief, what does this throat swab report mean GRAM STAIN: FEW PUS CELLS, MODERATE EPITHELIAL CELLS. MANY GRAM POSITIVE COCCI, FEW GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI CULTURE, THROAT SWAB: NO PATHOGEN GROWN AFTER 48hrs OF INCUBATION AT 37deg.C I don't have a sore throat but have developed Guttate Psoriasis and so the test was advised. Thanks! XXXX

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You have throat infection. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Thanks for writing to XXXXXXX According to the report you have mixed infection(means gram positive and gram negative)in the throat.Infection is confirmed by presence of pus cells and epithelial cells. However there is no growth in culture media after 48 hours of incubation.It may be due to many reasons like contamination,initial seeding density,lack of nutrients etc. I think you should take antibiotics for infection after repeat throat swab culture and sensitivity report.Antibiotics can be taken empirically also that covers both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. You should consult your physician. Get well soon. Hope i have answered your query. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (2 days later)

Thanks, doctor. My Dermatologist had prescribed Augmentin 625 for 7 days and then continued it for another 14 days. Inspite of thi,s my skin condition hasn't improved and hence he has now prescribed Rifampicin 600mg for 14 days. I am worried about taking so many antibiotics. And Rifampicin has many side effects that worries me because even by taking Augmentin for 21 days I got several heat boils on my skin and then Psoriasis on it. Please advise if I can take Rifampicin. I need a second opinion on the treatment provided.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes,you can take Rifampicin. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Thanks for writing back Yes,you should take Rifampicin.It is prescribed to you for psoriasis. Main side effects of Rifamipicin are nausea,vomiting,flu like syndrome,liver toxicity etc. Nausea,vomiting and flu like syndrome can be managed easily and you need baseline liver function test for liver toxicity.You can have follow up LFT two weeks after starting Rifampicin.You need not to be scared from Rifampicin.It is a very effective drug for tuberculosis and many other conditions like psoriasis.You will get red-orange discoloration of urine after starting the drug,it is its side effect. You need not to take take Augmentin any more.You have taken enough dose. Get well soon. Hope i have answered your query. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar