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Suggest Treatment For Streptococcus Infection And Altered Taste

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Posted on Tue, 25 Nov 2014
Question: Hi, Went to doctors 5 days ago with sore throat, fever, lower back pain. He tested for Strep throat and and said inflammed kidneys. I am on 2000mg penicillin a day just now. On the mend but i have developed an empty cough (not much bark) and when i cough i have a terrible taste in my mouth. Feel a bit heavy chested and out of breath doing small things. I had my tonsils removed last year due to continuous infections. This is the first bug ive caught since. Prognosis?
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Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Continue antibiotic,all infections will respond

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

Your doctor has rightly put you on penicillin for the Streptococcus infection.
Altered taste can develop due to the antibiotic.
However, this side effect is temporary and is of no consequence.
The altered taste will wean off soon.
Regarding the problem of 'inflamed kidneys', streptococcus infection of the throat can cause inflammation of the kidneys also.
Feeling of heaviness in the chest and breathlessness suggests infection in the lower respiratory tract also.
However, dry cough is due to irritation in the throat.
You can take a cough suppressant to control the cough.
It is possible that the lower respiratory tract infection is due to the same infection which is causing the throat infection and thus it will respond to the antibiotic which you are taking.
The involvement of the kidney by the infection will also respond to the same antibiotic.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

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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Answered by
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Dr. Shailja Puri

Pathologist and Microbiologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 9705 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Streptococcus Infection And Altered Taste

Brief Answer: Continue antibiotic,all infections will respond Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic. Your doctor has rightly put you on penicillin for the Streptococcus infection. Altered taste can develop due to the antibiotic. However, this side effect is temporary and is of no consequence. The altered taste will wean off soon. Regarding the problem of 'inflamed kidneys', streptococcus infection of the throat can cause inflammation of the kidneys also. Feeling of heaviness in the chest and breathlessness suggests infection in the lower respiratory tract also. However, dry cough is due to irritation in the throat. You can take a cough suppressant to control the cough. It is possible that the lower respiratory tract infection is due to the same infection which is causing the throat infection and thus it will respond to the antibiotic which you are taking. The involvement of the kidney by the infection will also respond to the same antibiotic. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal