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Hi Doctor, I Had The Following Symptoms After My Birthday
Question: Hi Doctor, I had the following symptoms after my birthday (19/11) party where I was drenched with cake and egg! The next day I was having cold followed by headache and body pain. The next day I did have fever hence I took 'Dolo'. On the third day I was having sore throat,I thought it was a normal and did salt water gargle. But the next day it was severe and I could feel pain in my throat and consulted the doctor. The doctor said that I was having a severe Tonsillitis and suspected that I might be infected with C-DIPHTHERIA. Hence he asked me to give a throat swab. He did prescribe the following tablets too along with betadine mouth wash. I went to the lab for throat swab but the lab assistant asked me if I was fasting, but I wasn't. Hence he asked me to come the next morning with empty stomach. That evening I took a dosage of the given tablets as I couldn't control the pain. Next morning I went and gave my throat swab and waited for three days to collect my results. I continued the same medications for next three days where I could not find any changes in my pain rather I was feeling more pain and difficulty in swallowing water and food. And I could see even more white patches on my tonsils and also swelling. After 3 days I went to collect the report and it says that the test is 'negative'. But doctor could still see more white patches in my tonsils and he said the inflammation is reduced but could see more patches ( he also said if not taken care the patches may spread to my larynx). so let's continue the same tablets for next three days and visit me on Saturday (1/12). so what do I do?? Could you please suggest me? Thanks and regards, Mouna
Hi Doctor, I had the following symptoms after my birthday (19/11) party where I was drenched with cake and egg! The next day I was having cold followed by headache and body pain. The next day I did have fever hence I took 'Dolo'. On the third day I was having sore throat,I thought it was a normal and did salt water gargle. But the next day it was severe and I could feel pain in my throat and consulted the doctor. The doctor said that I was having a severe Tonsillitis and suspected that I might be infected with C-DIPHTHERIA. Hence he asked me to give a throat swab. He did prescribe the following tablets too along with betadine mouth wash. I went to the lab for throat swab but the lab assistant asked me if I was fasting, but I wasn't. Hence he asked me to come the next morning with empty stomach. That evening I took a dosage of the given tablets as I couldn't control the pain. Next morning I went and gave my throat swab and waited for three days to collect my results. I continued the same medications for next three days where I could not find any changes in my pain rather I was feeling more pain and difficulty in swallowing water and food. And I could see even more white patches on my tonsils and also swelling. After 3 days I went to collect the report and it says that the test is 'negative'. But doctor could still see more white patches in my tonsils and he said the inflammation is reduced but could see more patches ( he also said if not taken care the patches may spread to my larynx). so let's continue the same tablets for next three days and visit me on Saturday (1/12). so what do I do?? Could you please suggest me? Thanks and regards, Mouna
Brief Answer:
Acute Tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Most likely you are having acute streptococcal tonsillitis which can also cause white patches or pseudomembranes on tonsillar surfaces mimicking Diphtheria. Unlike
the exudative lesion associated with streptococcal pharyngitis, the pseudomembrane in diphtheria is tightly adherent to the underlying tissues. Attempts to dislodge the membrane may cause bleeding. No such finding has been mentioned in the adjoining prescription.
Diphtheria is often associated with other symptoms like weakness, severe dysphagia, headache, and voice change which you are not having (as not mentioned).
Sometimes culture is negative and the case is labelled as probable respiratory diphtheria
(clinically compatible but not laboratory proven).
Moreover Throat samples should be subjected to culture with special selective medium and subsequent biochemical testing when Diphtheria is suspected, which is probably not done,as the culture report has not mentioned the media used.
Your doctor remains the best judge as he is evaluating you clinically.
I feel you need to continue the antibiotic as prescribed and get reviewed.You can even take a second opinion clinically meanwhile in case symptoms worsen.
If you have taken immunization against diphtheria like DPT vaccination and subsequent booster (DT) in your childhood,chances of Diphtheria is remote.
Regards,
Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas,
Internal Medicine Specialist
Acute Tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Most likely you are having acute streptococcal tonsillitis which can also cause white patches or pseudomembranes on tonsillar surfaces mimicking Diphtheria. Unlike
the exudative lesion associated with streptococcal pharyngitis, the pseudomembrane in diphtheria is tightly adherent to the underlying tissues. Attempts to dislodge the membrane may cause bleeding. No such finding has been mentioned in the adjoining prescription.
Diphtheria is often associated with other symptoms like weakness, severe dysphagia, headache, and voice change which you are not having (as not mentioned).
Sometimes culture is negative and the case is labelled as probable respiratory diphtheria
(clinically compatible but not laboratory proven).
Moreover Throat samples should be subjected to culture with special selective medium and subsequent biochemical testing when Diphtheria is suspected, which is probably not done,as the culture report has not mentioned the media used.
Your doctor remains the best judge as he is evaluating you clinically.
I feel you need to continue the antibiotic as prescribed and get reviewed.You can even take a second opinion clinically meanwhile in case symptoms worsen.
If you have taken immunization against diphtheria like DPT vaccination and subsequent booster (DT) in your childhood,chances of Diphtheria is remote.
Regards,
Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas,
Internal Medicine Specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Acute Tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Most likely you are having acute streptococcal tonsillitis which can also cause white patches or pseudomembranes on tonsillar surfaces mimicking Diphtheria. Unlike
the exudative lesion associated with streptococcal pharyngitis, the pseudomembrane in diphtheria is tightly adherent to the underlying tissues. Attempts to dislodge the membrane may cause bleeding. No such finding has been mentioned in the adjoining prescription.
Diphtheria is often associated with other symptoms like weakness, severe dysphagia, headache, and voice change which you are not having (as not mentioned).
Sometimes culture is negative and the case is labelled as probable respiratory diphtheria
(clinically compatible but not laboratory proven).
Moreover Throat samples should be subjected to culture with special selective medium and subsequent biochemical testing when Diphtheria is suspected, which is probably not done,as the culture report has not mentioned the media used.
Your doctor remains the best judge as he is evaluating you clinically.
I feel you need to continue the antibiotic as prescribed and get reviewed.You can even take a second opinion clinically meanwhile in case symptoms worsen.
If you have taken immunization against diphtheria like DPT vaccination and subsequent booster (DT) in your childhood,chances of Diphtheria is remote.
Regards,
Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas,
Internal Medicine Specialist
Acute Tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Most likely you are having acute streptococcal tonsillitis which can also cause white patches or pseudomembranes on tonsillar surfaces mimicking Diphtheria. Unlike
the exudative lesion associated with streptococcal pharyngitis, the pseudomembrane in diphtheria is tightly adherent to the underlying tissues. Attempts to dislodge the membrane may cause bleeding. No such finding has been mentioned in the adjoining prescription.
Diphtheria is often associated with other symptoms like weakness, severe dysphagia, headache, and voice change which you are not having (as not mentioned).
Sometimes culture is negative and the case is labelled as probable respiratory diphtheria
(clinically compatible but not laboratory proven).
Moreover Throat samples should be subjected to culture with special selective medium and subsequent biochemical testing when Diphtheria is suspected, which is probably not done,as the culture report has not mentioned the media used.
Your doctor remains the best judge as he is evaluating you clinically.
I feel you need to continue the antibiotic as prescribed and get reviewed.You can even take a second opinion clinically meanwhile in case symptoms worsen.
If you have taken immunization against diphtheria like DPT vaccination and subsequent booster (DT) in your childhood,chances of Diphtheria is remote.
Regards,
Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas,
Internal Medicine Specialist
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. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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