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What Causes Sore Throat With Muscle Aches And Cold Chills?
Question: Yesterday I went to my family dr because a sore throat was assoc with muscle aches that got so extreme at night that I could barely get out of bed. For 2 nights prior I had cold chills. I had a new rash appearing on my lower back. No fever, My dr felt I could wait out the sore throat. However I continue to have extreme side effects. The rash went down my outer thighs and arms. Bright red almost blisters in some areas. Last night instead of chills I sweat profusely. What's is going on?
Brief Answer:
Either its flu, strep or IM
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Sore throat can be caused by many germs. More commonly it is caused by viruses like flu virus, common cold viruses etc. It may be bacteria most common of which is group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). Fungal causes are also there.
Mostly the symptoms caused by these organisms are similar, thus differentiating on the basis of symptoms alone is difficult.
Severe muscle ache, rash alongwith sore throat can be due to flu, GABHS or infectious mononucleosis (IM). Rashes are usually typical for the type of infection.
GABHS can be tested with rapid strep test and throat culture. ASO titers can alsobe checked. Flu and IM will have high fever, thus are less likely in your case. IM can be tested by checking blood smear for atypical lymphocytes. Another test is heterophile antibody test.
If you can attach the photo of the skin rash, I will be better able to help.
Take care
Dr Vaishalee
Either its flu, strep or IM
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Sore throat can be caused by many germs. More commonly it is caused by viruses like flu virus, common cold viruses etc. It may be bacteria most common of which is group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). Fungal causes are also there.
Mostly the symptoms caused by these organisms are similar, thus differentiating on the basis of symptoms alone is difficult.
Severe muscle ache, rash alongwith sore throat can be due to flu, GABHS or infectious mononucleosis (IM). Rashes are usually typical for the type of infection.
GABHS can be tested with rapid strep test and throat culture. ASO titers can alsobe checked. Flu and IM will have high fever, thus are less likely in your case. IM can be tested by checking blood smear for atypical lymphocytes. Another test is heterophile antibody test.
If you can attach the photo of the skin rash, I will be better able to help.
Take care
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just bought an oral thermometer. Currently reads 101.7. Drs office yesterday was 98.8 in ear. I took an 800mg ibuprofen at 6:30 am , and was easily able to roll out off bed by 7:20. Now the muscle aches are encroaching again. Can' t lift right leg to get into driver' s seat. Had to pick it up with my arms. Muscles that hurt are thigh muscles, stomach muscles, upper arm muscles, left and right side of neck. I don't even notice a sore throat anymore. Took another ibuprofen, but I just want to crawl back in bed.
Brief Answer:
It seems like myalgia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It seems that you are either having just myalgia or it may be myositis. It may be secondary to stretococcal infection. Fever means that you may be having a viral infection in which case antibiotics will not help. There are all causes of myalgia and myositis. Myalgia usually is a self-limiting condition and goes away once the infection is controlled. Myositis is more severe and needs treatment.
Tests like creatinine kinase, myoglobin, etc should help to find if muscles are getting affected. If they are getting affected, it is possible that large chunks of muscle get affected quickly. Thus it is better to get medically diagnosed preferably in emergency room, where tests can be done rightaway. You will get better medical care in emergency room.
You have the option of uploading the reports and photos on your dashboard.
You can also send them to me at YYYY@YYYY and address it to my name: Dr Vaishalee Punj
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
It seems like myalgia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It seems that you are either having just myalgia or it may be myositis. It may be secondary to stretococcal infection. Fever means that you may be having a viral infection in which case antibiotics will not help. There are all causes of myalgia and myositis. Myalgia usually is a self-limiting condition and goes away once the infection is controlled. Myositis is more severe and needs treatment.
Tests like creatinine kinase, myoglobin, etc should help to find if muscles are getting affected. If they are getting affected, it is possible that large chunks of muscle get affected quickly. Thus it is better to get medically diagnosed preferably in emergency room, where tests can be done rightaway. You will get better medical care in emergency room.
You have the option of uploading the reports and photos on your dashboard.
You can also send them to me at YYYY@YYYY and address it to my name: Dr Vaishalee Punj
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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