Do you think I have strep throat?!


Question: Do you think I have strep throat?
I think I might have strep throat. I have this rash towards my wrist, and I feel like I'm congested. You know when you sniff snot into your throat, and then cough it out after? It kind of hurts when I do that. I've been having headaches yesterday and today. I went to sleep with a damp towel on my forehead and it helped a lot with the headaches. But, when I woke up, my neck hurt a little. I think it was just from the position I was sleeping in, though, since it doesn't hurt anymore unless I stretch it in different directions repeatedly. After school today I got a fever but slept it mostly off. Could this be strep throat?

Other information/questions:

It was about 70 degrees Farenheit out today, and I hate even having it that hot out. I live in California too, so it sucks. Could the fever be from that?

Answers:

Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and the tonsils. The throat gets irritated and inflamed, causing a sudden, severe sore throat.

The most common symptoms of strep throat are:

A sudden, severe sore throat.
Pain when you swallow.
Fever over 101F.
Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes.
White or yellow spots on the back of a bright red throat.
You may also have a headache and belly pain. Less common symptoms are a red skin rash, vomiting, not feeling hungry, and body aches.

Based on the above symptoms, I think YES, you might have a strep throat.

Strep throat will go away in 3 to 7 days with or without treatment. Doctors usually treat strep throat with antibiotics even though they may not make you well faster. Antibiotics shorten the time you are able to spread the disease to others (are contagious) and lower the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of your body.

You are contagious while you still have symptoms. Most people stop being contagious 24 hours after they start antibiotics. If you don't take antibiotics, you may be contagious for 2 to 3 weeks, even if your symptoms go away.

Your doctor may also advise you to take an over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) to help with pain and lower your fever. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

http://www.webmd.com/




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