Concerns About Strep Throat and Cefdinir Effectiveness
Four days ago, on Sunday, I began experiencing a severe sore throat. By Monday morning, I noticed white spots on my tonsils, leading me to believe I might have strep throat. I visited a healthcare professional who noted the symptoms seemed indicative of strep, but the rapid test returned a negative result. The doctor suggested it could be a false negative, speculating instead that I was dealing with a bacterial sinus infection. She prescribed a 300mg dosage of Cefdinir, which I started taking at 6 PM on Monday. As of now, it’s Wednesday at 11 AM, and I have completed four doses of Cefdinir; however, I have seen no improvement in my symptoms. I had no fever initially on Sunday or Monday, though I did develop a mild one on Tuesday. It's worth noting that I have been taking naproxen and ibuprofen, which may have impacted my fever levels. My throat continues to be extremely painful, and my tonsils look worse than before. I am trying to determine if Cefdinir usually requires more than 40 hours to show any improvement or if it would be wise to schedule another appointment with my doctor to discuss my ongoing issues. She mentioned that I should be non-contagious after 24 hours and that I should be able to resume work by now, yet I still feel as unwell as I did two days ago. Thanks for any input! Age: 32 Gender: Male Height: 5'7" Weight: 143lbs Ethnicity: White Duration of Symptoms: 4 days Location: Tennessee, USA
Answers (1)
8/27/2025, 4:24:19 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned when you aren’t seeing improvement despite starting antibiotics like Cefdinir. Here’s a summary of the key points and what you can do next:
Main Points:
- Duration and Efficacy of Cefdinir: Antibiotics can take a few days to show noticeable improvement, but if symptoms worsen or no improvement is seen after about 48-72 hours, it's worth reconsidering.
- Potential Misdiagnosis: While you might be experiencing symptoms consistent with strep throat, a negative rapid test suggests that another cause may be at play, such as a viral infection or a different bacterial infection.
- Persistent Symptoms: Given your continued severe sore throat and worsening tonsils, a follow-up is prudent.
Explanation:
Cefdinir is generally effective in treating bacterial infections but can take time, sometimes up to a couple of days to start alleviating symptoms. However, if you don’t feel any better after 48 to 72 hours of antibiotic treatment, it may indicate that the infection is not responding to the antibiotic or that a different underlying issue exists.
Next Steps:
- Continue Monitoring: Keep track of your symptoms, especially if they worsen or if new symptoms arise, such as increased fever, new rashes, or difficulty swallowing.
- Pain Management: Continue to use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (if you're tolerating it well) to help manage throat pain, but do so as directed on the label or by a healthcare professional.
- Hydration and Rest: Stay well-hydrated and get plenty of rest, as these are essential for recovery.
- Follow-Up Appointment: Given that you’ve not seen improvement after four doses, contact your healthcare provider promptly to discuss your symptoms. They may want to re-evaluate your condition, possibly consider a throat culture for strep, or explore other treatment options.
Please rest assured that there are options available to help you feel better, and it’s always okay to seek further medical advice if your symptoms are not improving. Take care!
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