Could This Be Strep?

RE: Could This Be Strep? Post by MZARIE (3) | (02/17/2007) Profile | Contact SOUNDS LIKE ALLERGIES, I GET IT OFTEN AND TAKE A BENADRYL AND AM FINE BUT I WOULD CHECK WITH DOCTOR FIRST. RE: Could This Be Strep? Post By Kathy (Guest Post) (02/15/2007) Mine does that when I get tonsilitis. Either need to be treated with antibiotics. If he doesn't have time to go to the doctor, he can go to one of the first aid stations. They even have them in some Walgreens now. You get tested, and get meds all in one stop and insurance covered ours. RE: Could This Be Strep? Post by gvandellen (7) | (02/15/2007) Profile | Contact 1. Never ask for medical advice on a forum for saving money. 2. A doctor should be seen if there is no improvement. We get sick and the body fights it off. If there is no improvement it leads doctors to think it is bacterial instead of viral. Anti"biotics" can be used to then fight the infection. 5 days without medicine and you should be seeing improvement. Strep is contagious for up to 21 days but your body can fight it off. As a side note...Tylenol works for a fever...but by reducing fever you stop some of the immune systems ability to fight infection. Now I'm not saying not to take Tylenol because you feel like garbage but you do prolong healing. Sorethroats can be caused from several things: Allergies, Viral Infections, Bacterial Infections, or just cold weather stimulating excessive post nasal drip. Sorethroats with a fever and exudate can stear you toward strep but the only conclusive test is a rapid strep followed by culture. Ceceh is correct in that strep is no longer contagious after 24 hours on antibiotics. I suggest giving it one more day, try some warm saltwater rinses and if there is still no improvement then see a doctor. NOT the ER...It's not an emergency. Rapid streps are done quicker in an office and it's a lot cheaper. Keep to soft foods...BRAT (Banana's, Rice, Apples, and Toast) diet and throw some beans in for protein. Nothing to irritate the throat. RE: Could This Be Strep? Post By Sheryl (Guest Post) (02/15/2007) Sounds like mono to me. That's what happens with mono, that epigladus gets bigger. They can do a blood test at the doctor's office to determine if it's mono. Sore throat, tired, etc. RE: Could This Be Strep? Post by ceceh (12) | (02/15/2007) Profile | Contact Not that it's that important, but the epiglottis is actually the membrane that covers your windpipe so that food/liquid don't go "down the wrong pipe" when swallowing. The dangly thing is called the uvula. It does curl up to protect nasal passages or when you say "ahhh". Strep usually has a nasty odor and tonsils and/or back part of the throat appear to have white bloches. Definately get it checked out. Strep isn't anything to screw around with and once you start meds you are no longer contagious w/in 24 hrs. (and usually feeling much better). Go to a med center or doc. -- Better safe than sorry..... RE: Could This Be Strep? Post by lovethosehounds (59) | (02/15/2007) Profile | Contact The dangly thing is called the epiglotis, it can become inflamed from eating certain foods. However, strep can only be determined by having a throat culture done. If the culture comes back positive for strep, then the Dr. will prescribe a course of antibiotics. He must go to a Dr. ! Do not try and self diagnose as strep is nothing to mess around with and if left untreated can ultimately affect the heart and kidneys. Not to mention the fact that he is meanwhile passing the germ along to you and others. Also, if you have children, you might want to have them checked out too, as many times children can be carriers of the strep germ but not show any symptoms. This response was not meant to sound like medical advice, nor a scare tactic. RE: Could This Be Strep? Post By Joyce (Guest Post) (02/15/2007) usually when you get an infection the epigladus gets bigger because it trying to absorb the infection, normally when it is strep you have pocket or pockets on the back , to the side,of the throat. If he has had this for 3 or 4 days already and the epigladus has gotten larger, I would go to the doctor, chances are he needs an antibiotic to clear up the infection..Some other ways of knowing if it is an infection, usually the person will run a fever, BUT.. that also depends on the individual. Better just to see the doctor to be on the safe side. If left untreated it can lead to other illnesses. RE: Could This Be Strep? Post by ThriftyFun (4033) | (02/15/2007) Profile | Blog! | Contact Strep is nothing to fool around with and can cause secondary infections. Please go have it checked out. Susan from ThriftyFun RE: Could This Be Strep? Post by Lambchop Western Australia (23) | (02/15/2007) Profile | Blog! | Contact He should go and see a doctor for advice and medication if needed.