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Suggest Treatment For Cold And Swollen Sinuses
Question: How do you know if you have strep? Everyone in my office is sick with a cold, the flu or strep. I'm hoping I just have a cold but I have swollen sinuses, an annoying cough, slight soreness around my ribs (probably from coughing), and a splitting headache. I'm allergic to antibiotics, so I'm just taking Tylenol, Mucinex, Vitamins, and Alcaseltzor cold meds. Plus I'm gargling with warm salt water and nothing. Suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The classic symptoms of strep throat infection is that the throat is quite sore, there's a fever, and swollen tender neck glands.
To diagnose it, one can look at the tonsils to see if they are very inflamed with pus on them, but the best way is to get a throat swab. A throat swab can be used to diagnose strep while you are in the office or urgent care clinic.
Get as much rest as you can, which will help your immune system fight whatever you have.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can explain further.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The classic symptoms of strep throat infection is that the throat is quite sore, there's a fever, and swollen tender neck glands.
To diagnose it, one can look at the tonsils to see if they are very inflamed with pus on them, but the best way is to get a throat swab. A throat swab can be used to diagnose strep while you are in the office or urgent care clinic.
Get as much rest as you can, which will help your immune system fight whatever you have.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can explain further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This may sound like a silly questions, but would pus on the tonsils be very obvious to see? I haven't had strep in over 20 years, but my glands are swollen and tender. I do have a primary care doctor, but she is booked solid with patients for another week. I'm not normally prone to getting sick, plus I'm highly allergic to antibiotics so I'm trying to decide if I should go in.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Best to get a throat swab - urgent care clinic can do it.
Detailed Answer:
Usually the pus is obvious, but it isn't always present. I've seen strep throat infections where there wasn't pus.
You can go in for a quick swab at an urgent care clinic if your doctor is booked up. Or, the nurse at your doctor's office may be willing to do it.
I am not one to push antibiotics, particularly as we learn more about bacterial resistance to an increasing number of them. But there is a chance that this is strep, and by chance I mean that you described that you may have been exposed at work, and you have a sore throat and tender neck glands. And with strep throat, there is the risk of complications such as heart problems (rheumatic heart disease) if it is left untreated. So I do encourage treating strep throat with antibiotics. I understand you are allergic to some. There may be alternatives to the ones you are allergic to, if it turns out to be strep.
If the throat swab and culture are negative for strep, it is most likely a viral infection (bad cold or flu) and will resolve in time.
If you do decide to go in to an urgent care clinic, to avoid picking up something else there (I'm sure there will be people there with various infections), don't touch your eyes or nose until you have thoroughly washed them (regular soap and water will do). And wash as soon as you get home.
Best to get a throat swab - urgent care clinic can do it.
Detailed Answer:
Usually the pus is obvious, but it isn't always present. I've seen strep throat infections where there wasn't pus.
You can go in for a quick swab at an urgent care clinic if your doctor is booked up. Or, the nurse at your doctor's office may be willing to do it.
I am not one to push antibiotics, particularly as we learn more about bacterial resistance to an increasing number of them. But there is a chance that this is strep, and by chance I mean that you described that you may have been exposed at work, and you have a sore throat and tender neck glands. And with strep throat, there is the risk of complications such as heart problems (rheumatic heart disease) if it is left untreated. So I do encourage treating strep throat with antibiotics. I understand you are allergic to some. There may be alternatives to the ones you are allergic to, if it turns out to be strep.
If the throat swab and culture are negative for strep, it is most likely a viral infection (bad cold or flu) and will resolve in time.
If you do decide to go in to an urgent care clinic, to avoid picking up something else there (I'm sure there will be people there with various infections), don't touch your eyes or nose until you have thoroughly washed them (regular soap and water will do). And wash as soon as you get home.
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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