Throat Troubles: Should I Seek Additional Help?
Greetings, I'm a 23-year-old female experiencing some troubling symptoms related to my throat, and I suspect it might be strep throat, though I'm not entirely certain. I visited urgent care yesterday with the expectation that my swab test would confirm strep infection, but to my surprise, the results came back negative for strep, COVID-19, and influenza. As a quick aside, I’m employed as a preschool teacher, and my co-teacher has been diagnosed with strep (her test came back positive). I initially noticed a slight sore throat over the weekend. However, when I woke up yesterday morning, I found the characteristic white spots in my throat and was experiencing much more significant pain, along with tenderness in my lymph nodes. Despite the negative test results, the physician prescribed me Amoxicillin at a dosage of 500mg for a duration of ten days, as well as a lidocaine mouthwash to use when necessary. I've completed three doses of the antibiotic thus far and am utilizing the gargle for pain relief, but unfortunately, I feel no improvement—instead, my symptoms have intensified today. Interestingly, I didn’t exhibit a fever during my urgent care visit yesterday afternoon, but later that night, my temperature soared to 101.6°F. After taking Tylenol, I managed to reduce it to 98°F, yet this morning, after a night plagued with discomfort and inability to sleep, my temperature spiked to 104.1°F. The throat pain is now excruciating, and I can visibly see the swollen lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. About two hours ago, I took another dose of Tylenol, but the fever persists, and I am struggling to manage the pain, despite taking Ibuprofen, using Tylenol, the lidocaine gargle, and attempting salt water gargles. My neck is throbbing, I feel overwhelmingly weak, and I am experiencing joint pain. Another worrisome symptom is the thick, green mucus I’ve been noticing at the back of my throat, which even has streaks of blood. The constant need to clear my throat has become quite painful. I'm wondering if it would be prudent to return to urgent care. Is there a possibility they might adjust my antibiotic treatment to something more effective? I’d prefer not to occupy the emergency room if I can receive the necessary assistance at urgent care instead.
Answers (1)
4/1/2025, 2:40:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that you're feeling frustrated and concerned given your worsening symptoms despite treatment. Your main points to address include the significant throat pain, high fever, and the presence of thick, green mucus with blood streaks.
Explanation
While the initial tests showed no strep throat, your current symptoms indicate a possible severe infection or another condition that may require a different approach. The combination of high fever, severe throat pain, difficulty clearing your throat, and the mucus could suggest a bacterial infection that isn't responding to the Amoxicillin or possibly even another viral infection. The presence of blood in the mucus and alarming symptoms like high fever should be taken seriously.
Next Steps
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Consider Returning to Urgent Care: Given that your symptoms have intensified and you are now experiencing a fever above 104°F, it's prudent to seek further medical evaluation. They may conduct additional tests to determine the underlying cause, including checking for tonsillitis or other bacterial infections.
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Communicate Clearly at Urgent Care: When you go, make sure to inform them about your history, current symptoms, and how the treatment has not improved your condition. Mention the high fever, joint pain, and blood in your mucus to ensure they understand the severity.
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Stay Hydrated and Rest: While you're awaiting further medical care, focus on staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Rest is crucial for your recovery, especially since you mentioned feeling overwhelmingly weak.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your symptoms, particularly changes in fever, worsening pain, or any new symptoms. This information can help healthcare providers understand your situation better.
It's important to prioritize your health and ensure you get the necessary support and treatment. Don’t hesitate to return for help, as you deserve to feel better.
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