Experiencing a Sore Throat
As a 35-year-old woman, I recently faced a health concern that began when my 6-year-old son was diagnosed with strep throat. He tested positive through a rapid test and started antibiotics right away, experiencing significant improvement by the following day. In contrast, I noticed the onset of a sore throat upon waking up. I consulted a telehealth service and was prescribed a Z-pack (azithromycin). Unfortunately, after three days, I had not experienced any relief, prompting me to visit urgent care. There, a rapid test indicated that I did not have strep throat. The healthcare provider decided to send a culture for further testing and prescribed me Keflex (cephalexin) to take home. Now, on my third day of this new medication, I find that my symptoms remain unchanged. Could it be that I have contracted a viral infection coincidentally alongside my son's bacterial strep throat? I have not developed a fever or any additional signs—just this persistent sore throat.
Answers (1)
8/20/2025, 6:42:13 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your sore throat, especially given your recent exposure to your son's strep throat. While it’s possible that you could have a separate viral infection, other factors may also be at play.
Key Points:
- Your symptoms may not indicate strep throat given the negative rapid test and lack of fever.
- A viral infection is likely, particularly since strep and cold/flu viruses can circulate simultaneously.
- Persistence of symptoms after antibiotics could indicate a non-bacterial cause.
Explanation:
Sore throats can result from various sources, including viral infections (like the common cold), allergies, dry air, or irritants. Since you’ve been on Keflex for a few days without improvement and did not have a fever, this leans towards a viral origin rather than strep throat. Strep typically improves rapidly with antibiotics, and since your son improved quickly while you did not, it suggests your sore throat isn’t due to the same infection.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of how your symptoms progress daily. Look out for new signs such as fever,Body aches, or shortness of breath that might indicate a different issue.
-
Symptom Relief:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to soothe your throat.
- Gargle Salt Water: This can help reduce throat discomfort. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle several times a day.
- Humidify your Environment: If the air in your home is dry, especially in colder months, use a humidifier to ease throat irritation.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Consider using throat lozenges, sprays, or pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (if not contraindicated) to alleviate discomfort.
-
Follow Up: If your sore throat does not improve in the next several days, or if you develop new symptoms, you may need to revisit your healthcare provider for further evaluation, which could include checking for viral infections or other possible causes.
Let me know if you have further concerns or questions!
Related Questions
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?
Seeking Insight on Abnormal Neuroimaging Results
A 42-year-old female, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, has been grappling with cognitive challenges for over three years. She has a clinical history that includes a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder coupled with generalized anxiety, which she manages effectively through a regimen of an antidepressant, a mood stabilizer, and medications for anxiety. Currently, she is under the care of her fifth neurologist in the Boston region. An FDG-PET scan revealed a significant decline in metabolic functions, showing a 30-40% reduction within the left parietal lobe and a 20% decrease in both mesial temporal lobes. As part of her evaluation, a lumbar puncture was performed to assess amyloid and tau protein levels, with results coming back negative. Although a radiologist recommended pursuing an amyloid PET scan to gain further insights, her neurologist has declined this option. Despite the neurologist's suggestion that her indications might fit into the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) category, she remains unconvinced and believes there must be an identifiable underlying cause for her symptoms and the irregularities observed in her scans. She is seeking advice on the next steps to take in pursuing a clearer diagnosis or understanding of her condition.
Worsening Memory Problems Over Time
Age: 25 Weight: 175 lbs Current Medications: Modafinil (200mg); Lexapro (10 mg); Lamotrigine (100mg in the morning + 100 mg in the evening); Cyproheptadine (4 mg); Vraylar (1.5 mg) Supplements: Iron; Vitamin B12; Vitamin D; Salt tablets Health Background: Long-standing, stubborn migraines (resolved as of May 2025, originally began in April 2016); Depression (currently very stable); Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (experimented with various stimulants with no improvement in memory); Chronic fatigue syndrome (developed a few years after memory problems began). I possess a documented medical history concerning my memory challenges. Around 2012, I underwent neurological evaluations that included an IQ assessment. The clinician indicated that my memory performance was particularly low, affecting my overall IQ representation, while I scored at or above average in most other areas. In approximately 2017, a neurologist referred me for a neuropsychological evaluation. Unfortunately, the results were deemed "inconclusive" due to inconsistent findings, with the provider stating my memory levels mirrored the previously reported low scores. Fast forward to 2023, when I underwent another neuropsych evaluation, which indicated my working memory was significantly below the average range. The clinician expressed uncertainty regarding effective treatment options for my memory issues, suggesting avenues such as ADHD medications, stress management, enhancing sleep quality, and mental health support—areas which I have pursued or tried to improve. Here is a summary of the strategies and treatments I've explored: - **Sleep Study**: Diagnosed with mild sleep apnea when lying on my back, although I typically sleep in other positions. - **Antidepressants**: Tried various types repeatedly, yet without noticing any significant changes. - **Occupational Therapy**: Participated but found it more stressful than beneficial. - **Speech Therapy**: Benefitted somewhat, yet it didn't meet my expectations, though I continue to use some of the techniques learned. - **Digital Notes**: Attempted to record important information on my phone, but due to many lists, vital entries often get lost. - **Memantine**: Prescribed by my neurologist as a last resort, based on its reported effectiveness in elderly patients for pain management; however, I did not observe any memory improvements while on this medication. - **Nutritional Supplements**: Regularly take Vitamin B complex, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and various other potential memory enhancers. Additionally, family history reveals that my brother, sister, and paternal grandmother have also faced memory-related issues throughout their lives. Unfortunately, several neurologists have declined to treat me, citing my youth and existing diagnoses of depression and ADD as indicators of instability rather than addressing my memory concerns. Moreover, I am anxious that my past struggles with chronic pain could have exacerbated my memory problems. Any insights or suggestions to tackle these ongoing challenges would be greatly appreciated.
Seeking Clarity on Brain MRI Results
I’m a 36-year-old man experiencing occasional headaches, and I have no additional health concerns. I take Lexapro for anxiety and Ativan as needed. Earlier this week, I underwent a non-contrast MRI scan of my brain, and I have received the following report: **REASON FOR EXAMINATION:** Periodic headaches described as dull in nature. **COMPARISON:** None available. **TECHNIQUE USED:** The imaging included sagittal T1, axial FLAIR, axial T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and coronal gradient-echo sequences of the brain. **RESULTS:** The size of the ventricles and sulci appears to be normal. The position of the cerebellar tonsils is also within normal limits. Notably, a bilobed, septated lesion measuring 18 x 10 mm is located in the right parietal cortex, associated with some underlying edema or gliotic changes and cortical expansion. The pituitary gland size is normal. There are no signs of intracranial bleeding or any indications of recent infarcts in the cerebral regions, brainstem, or cerebellum. No abnormalities were detected on diffusion-weighted imaging. Additionally, there are no signal changes that would imply a demyelinating condition, such as multiple sclerosis. There are no fluid collections outside of the brain or subdural hematomas noted. Major blood vessels are patent, as indicated by the flow voids. The paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells appear clear, although there is mild mucosal thickening in the left anterior ethmoidal air cells. **SUMMARY:** The findings suggest an 18 x 10 mm intra-axial cystic lesion in the right parietal lobe, accompanied by mild underlying edema or gliotic changes. This could possibly be an atypical manifestation of enlarged perivascular spaces or a benign cystic structure. Further evaluation with postcontrast imaging is advised. The overall conclusion of the MRI is otherwise normal. I’m feeling really anxious about these findings. Can anyone help me understand what this might mean?