Recurring Strep Throat After Antibiotic Treatment
I’m a 26-year-old female, 5’2”, generally in decent health, taking daily medications including Wellbutrin, Zyrtec, and birth control. I was diagnosed with strep throat on July 30 after a swift test at an urgent care facility. My symptoms included painful swallowing, severely inflamed tonsils, nausea, and a lack of cough or fever. The treatment prescribed was amoxicillin, two pills daily for a duration of ten days. I completed this course, but within about 48 hours, I began to experience a resurgence of symptoms, including significant fatigue and widespread body aches. Consequently, I returned to urgent care, where I received a new prescription: cephalexin, taken three times daily for another ten days. I noticed an improvement and felt relatively normal for a few days, but unfortunately, the symptoms reappeared shortly after finishing that course of antibiotics. Just this past Friday, I completed my cephalexin regimen, and once again, I’m suffering from painful swallowing and inflamed tonsils. Throughout this ordeal lasting 20 days, I’ve made an effort to maintain my intake of probiotics and vitamins. Living alone without any pets, and being single, I’m fairly certain I’m not in contact with anyone who could be carrying the bacteria. At this point, I feel somewhat lost. Should I revisit urgent care to explore my options further and possibly request a culture to check for antibiotic resistance? Alternatively, would it be sensible to consult with an ear, nose, and throat specialist? Having recently relocated to a new state, I have not yet established a primary care physician. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
8/25/2025, 12:21:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed with ongoing symptoms after multiple treatments for strep throat. Your experience indicates a potential issue with persistent infection or antibiotic resistance. Here’s a clearer plan moving forward:
Key Points:
- Recurring Symptoms Post-Antibiotic Treatment: Your symptoms returning after completing multiple courses of antibiotics suggests that it might be time to reevaluate your situation.
- Consideration of a Culture: A throat culture can help identify whether the strep bacteria persist and if they are resistant to the antibiotics you have taken.
- Referral to Specialists: Consulting with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist may provide additional insights into your condition.
Explanation:
While strep throat is typically treatable with antibiotics, repeated infections could indicate a few factors, such as:
- Possible antibiotic resistance: The bacteria might not be responding to the antibiotics due to resistance.
- Incorrect initial diagnosis: Sometimes, what seems like strep throat could be caused by another condition.
- Carrier state: Some people can carry the streptococcus bacteria in their throats without showing symptoms, making them possible sources for re-infection.
Next Steps:
-
Visit Urgent Care or Emergency Room: Given that you have had a resurgence of symptoms, returning to urgent care is advisable. Request a throat culture specifically to test for strep bacteria and to check for antibiotic resistance.
-
Consider an ENT Specialist: An ENT can evaluate your throat for chronic issues related to infections. They may suggest further investigations like imaging or even a procedure to assess your tonsils if they're consistently problematic.
-
Symptom Management: While you await your next appointment, focus on symptom relief:
- Stay hydrated and consider soothing teas or throat lozenges to help with painful swallowing.
- Continue taking your daily probiotics as they can support gut health during this time.
- Monitor your symptoms closely. If you experience difficulty breathing, high fever, or severe pain, seek medical attention immediately.
By following these steps, you’ll be in a stronger position to get to the root of your issue and find relief. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support as you navigate these challenges—experiencing prolonged discomfort can be very tough.
Related Questions
Experiencing a Sore Spot on the Back of My Tongue?
Greetings! I'm a 28-year-old male currently residing in the UK. Just yesterday, I encountered some discomfort at the back of my mouth while munching on chips. Later that evening, I examined my mouth and noticed that my tongue appeared somewhat irritated, though I’m not quite sure how to describe it accurately. I figured I would reach out here for some insights. Typically, there is no significant pain, but it intensified when I ate the chips. In the days leading up to this, I had only felt a slight tingling sensation, which occurred after consuming moderately spicy foods—like medium heat Nando’s chicken and Texas BBQ-flavored Pringles that I often enjoy for lunch. None of these items had bothered me prior to this week, including the chips. I should also mention that I’ve been dealing with a cough for about a week; however, given that colds have been circulating, I attributed it to that and want to include it for context. For now, I’ve decided to avoid spicy foods, suspecting they might be the culprit due to the tingling. Despite my research, I find myself struggling to pinpoint what exactly this irritation could be, and I’m seeking a clearer understanding. Additionally, for context regarding my medical history, I have asthma and eczema. I manage my asthma with a Flutiform inhaler, which I've been using for several years, and I apply Cetraben cream for my eczema whenever it flares, although that is infrequent lately. Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide!
Could This Be MS?
I am a man in my mid-twenties who has recently begun experiencing some concerning symptoms. About four days ago, I noticed the onset of mild headaches coupled with discomfort in my neck, along with stiffness. The pain never exceeded a severity of 3 out of 10, making it quite manageable. Two days ago, I encountered a peculiar event where I felt weakness in my right arm for approximately 20 minutes, which eventually subsided. However, last evening, the weakness returned and persisted, prompting me to seek medical assistance at the emergency room. While there, I experienced ongoing weakness in my arm, followed by tingling sensations in both my right and left legs, akin to the feeling of pins and needles. At one point, the tingling intensified to numbness. Today, my calves have been cramping slightly, and the weakness in my arm continues to fluctuate. I consulted with the physician at the ER and also met with my primary healthcare provider today. My doctor suspects that I may be experiencing a form of migraine that is leading to the tingling sensations, though I find it hard to reconcile this with the fact that my headaches have been so mild. I am troubled that these symptoms might indicate the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). I understand that tingling can be an initial symptom, yet I wonder about the quickness of its onset. In merely two hours, the sensations in my legs changed from normal to a pronounced tingling feeling. Does this scenario align with the early signs of MS, or could there be an alternative explanation for what I’m experiencing?
Possible Symptoms of a Neurological Event
I am a 35-year-old woman, previously a smoker, with a diagnosis of eosinophilic asthma. My current medications include Advair, Dupixent, and I also use albuterol when necessary. Last night, after returning home from work, I found myself sitting in my car, struggling to gather the will to go inside. Suddenly, I experienced a sensation that reminded me of being heavily intoxicated or under the influence of hallucinogenic substances. An overwhelming dizziness hit me unexpectedly, accompanied by visual disturbances that felt like I was spinning. Additionally, I felt a peculiar tingling sensation on just the left side of my scalp, and I had the distinct impression that I was floating. Feeling alarmed, I decided to call my husband for assistance to get into the house. Fortunately, within a few minutes, the intense sensations began to fade, but I was left with a slight discomfort behind my left eye and in my lower jaw. Today, I still experience some dizziness, though it's significantly less severe compared to last night. I can’t shake the worry that I might have experienced a stroke and find myself questioning whether a trip to the emergency room is warranted or if I am simply overreacting.
Understanding Rib Injuries
Hello everyone, I’m a 23-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 120 pounds. Approximately a week ago, I experienced a fall that resulted in an injury to my rib area. The impact left me with a significant bruise that is dark in color surrounding the ribs, and the pain has made it extremely uncomfortable to touch or move that part of my body. Two days after the incident, I decided to visit urgent care due to the intensity of the pain I was feeling. During my examination, the attending physician suggested that I might have either a dislocated or fractured rib. Although I couldn't undergo an X-ray at that time, the doctor could identify the separation through physical examination. Several days after this initial visit, I had a follow-up appointment with my primary care physician. However, her assessment differed greatly from the first. She recommended an X-ray, which ultimately came back cleared. When I attempted to express my continued discomfort—especially while moving, deep breathing, or pressing on the affected spot—she appeared to dismiss my concerns. Her response was that if I had truly sustained a broken rib, I would likely experience "a lot" of pain, even though I had already shared my symptoms with her. Now, I find myself feeling frustrated and undervalued. She remarked that a rib fracture or dislocation could not be confirmed solely through touch, which raises questions for me. Is it possible for certain rib injuries not to be clearly visible on X-rays? I’m not trying to undermine anyone's expertise; I simply seek clarity regarding my condition and reassurance that my feelings are valid.
Seeking Guidance from Medical Professionals
This is a repost as my previous message went unnoticed due to the late hour. I find myself in an incredibly challenging situation, and I take full responsibility for it. I am an 18-year-old woman, standing at 5’7” and currently overweight. I ask for your patience as I provide you with a lengthy yet crucial account of my medical journey. When I was 15, I went to the hospital on June 9, 2022, seeking help for pelvic discomfort. During my visit, they performed a CT scan with contrast, which revealed a 3.6 cm cyst on my ovary. Additionally, the scan indicated a small 3 cm lesion on my liver, which the report suggested was likely a benign hemangioma, although further investigation via MRI was recommended for confirmation. Fast forward to June 14, 2022, when I underwent the MRI both with and without contrast. The report from this scan detailed the following: - The initial CT indicated a vague low-density area in the liver at a specific point in the images. The diffusion-weighted imaging pointed toward abnormalities in the mid-right lobe of the liver, highlighting two distinct regions of concern, one measuring 2.9 cm and another around 1 cm. This was evident in several images from the scan. Abnormalities appeared more pronounced in the diffusion-weighted sequence compared to the standard images, and there was evidence of mild enhancement in those regions. Thankfully, there were no signs of calcification or fatty content within the lesions, and the overall liver architecture appeared normal without any discrepancies in the adjoining vessels or other organs. The CT evaluations also suggested normal conditions in the kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, and the entire biliary tree. Based on the MRI results, my physician recommended a referral to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation, suspecting a possible biliary malignancy, as there were more lesions found via MRI than indicated in the earlier CT scan. Following this, I saw my pediatrician shortly thereafter; he was cautious with his words, as I had already been anxious after researching my conditions online before the MRI. He expressed a lack of concern, assuring me everything appeared fine but advised seeing a GI specialist as a precaution. Being young and a bit naive, I took his reassurances to heart and did not pursue further checks as seriously as I should have. Then in November 2022, I underwent an ultrasound with Doppler that reported: - The liver was of normal size and texture, but two hyperechoic areas emerged, one measuring approximately 2.3x2.9x1.7 cm and another at 2.3x2.2x2.6 cm, situated near the portal vein. The findings could suggest either focal fatty infiltration or hemangiomas, and it was recommended to conduct additional imaging. The gallbladder was normal, and no abnormalities were found in the biliary tract. Once again, a different doctor advised that everything seemed alright but further imaging was warranted. Despite having had an MRI previously, I did not follow up further and convinced myself that there was no need for additional concern. Now, at 18, I regret not pursuing these issues more diligently. I have begun to experience discomfort, and I’m worried that I may have let something serious go unchecked. Earlier this year, I visited the hospital again, undergoing another CT scan and an ultrasound. The findings from January 2025 were as follows: - The lung bases appeared clear, with no acute abnormalities identified. The imaging of the abdomen indicated that all major organs including the liver, gallbladder, and spleen looked normal without any free fluid or swollen lymph nodes, and there were no acute issues in the pelvic region either. - A limited ultrasound indicated that the liver’s echotexture and morphology were normal as well, along with the gallbladder showing no signs of disease. This summarizes my imaging history and the concerns I have. I am in the process of scheduling appointments with professionals, but while I await these consultations, I would deeply appreciate any insights that could provide comfort or clarity. This health scare has significantly affected my quality of life, with moments when I find it hard to cope or feel an overwhelming sense of despair. To directly ask my question: Considering that three years have passed since those lesions were first identified, is there a risk that they could now represent something serious? Any response from radiologists or physicians would be incredibly valued and appreciated.