Strep throat?

[kaiilyn_23]

For almost a week now I've had a really bad recurring sore throat. It's at it's worst tonight, particularly on the left side. It's really painful to swallow and breathe. Last week I had a rash breakout, last Tuesday. I had the sore throat then and I also had a slight fever but I was also due for my period so nobody thought anything of it. But this sore throat keeps coming back and leaving, but tonight it's been consistent and it's the worst it's been throughout the week. It's scratchy but also really painful, a mixture of the two which is weird for me because usually it's either or.

Does this sound like strep, or anything serious? My doctor is currently away, I might end up going to the walk in clinic across the street from my school tomorrow. It hurts so badly, I've been trying to drink fluids, and do the warm water and salt thing but nothing is helping or soothing it. Sore throats are irritating and frustrating!

[DeadxxInside92]

I am dealing with the same thing and it's on my left side as well. I have acute mononucleosis but I did not experience a rash. That being said, my younger sister has dealt with strep in the past and she would usually have a rash accompanying her other symptoms. I think it's described as a butterfly like rash on the face across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. I think it sounds like a case of strep so I think it's best to go to the doctor and get a swab test done or blood test and they should be able to tell you what's up. I definitely feel your pain though--sore throats are the worst.

[heydani]

I had strep 9 times in one year...it is quite unpleasant, the doctors cant even diagnose me with it anymore because I cant handle the swab test. If you have strep, it kind of feels like you are swallowing knives (or sharp objects), and usually comes with a fever- but not always. I once had it for 2 weeks on vacation without a fever. If you are still feeling sick, then I would recommend seeing your doctor once they return. I hope you feel better (:

[cinque]

Yes I think go to the doctor's It's a shame they make you have a swab. They don't here in the UK; they just tend to prescribe antibiotics based on medical history (tendency for throat infection/tonsillitis) and how your tonsils/throat look and so on. Although I don't agree with the overuse of antibiotics, obviously (but I really don't think the UK is the worst place for that by a long way).

I think that rash is known as 'scarletina' (like scarlet fever but far less serious). I had it with bacterial (I assume streptococcal) tonsillitis once. I kind of looked orange and my skin was sandpapery, itchy and rough. I think it's almost like an allergic reaction to the bacterial infection in your system. So I definitely think it would be worth going to the walk-in clinic; the sooner you have antibiotics the sooner you'll feel better! xxx

[randall3329]

My daughter has this at the moment. The rash is covering a lot of her face now, she has antibiotics, but they sem to have had little effect. I have to drag her back to the drs tomorrow as the school is adamant she has a sick note - thats why so many people send their kids to school ill as they seem to be on your back after a couple of days. I know that was a bit ot but its frustrating so i need to vent lol.
@cinque - i am very glad they dont routinely do swab tests here. I had my first one last year when i had glandular fever and it took 3 attempts before he realised he wasnt getting it from me!

[kaiilyn_23]

I hate swab tests. They're just so uncomfortable.

My mom doesn't think there's anything wrong with me even though I've been running a slight fever, a recurring rash, migraine and still a sore throat. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to discuss my medication for anxiety and some other things, and I'm in a lot of discomfort so I'll bring it up regardless of how mad my mom will be. I don't understand why she's so picky about this. She doesn't want the doctor just putting me on antibiotics without checking me out. As long as I go to my own doctor, which I am tomorrow, that won't happen and I'll be thoroughly checked up on!

Thanks everyone!

[lizzo]

Strep needs antibiotics, it won't go away on its own.

[ForeverrCaitlin]

it sounds like you have a case of strep throat, ive had it once before and had the same symptoms (dont want to breathe/swallow, fever, headache) and antibiotics are the only thing to make it go away. when they did the strep test i wasnt phobic, but i dont recalling gagging.