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Suggest Remedy For Persistent Chills And Sore Throat
Question: Chills sore throat for 4 days. overall sore muscles/body, heavy mucus( green) from throat, 101 temp,
age 59 non smoker, usually very healthy, college baseball umpire - in good shape
just cant shake the chills/sore throat
suggestionsdon't tell me in a banner that the doctor is working on my concerns then state that if I don't get an answer free if it takes 24 hours
cmon, if it takes 24 hours I sure don't need you
age 59 non smoker, usually very healthy, college baseball umpire - in good shape
just cant shake the chills/sore throat
suggestionsdon't tell me in a banner that the doctor is working on my concerns then state that if I don't get an answer free if it takes 24 hours
cmon, if it takes 24 hours I sure don't need you
Brief Answer:
Time to go in for a throat swab - more information below:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
First an apology about what Health Care Magic promises - immediate response and that the doctor is working on your concern. I think Americans prefer straight forwardness (at least I do). During the day, when Americans write in, there are not as many doctors answering as at night as most of the physicians are XXXXXXX (or Albanian) - not a lot of XXXXXXX docs. So it can take awhile for a doc to see your question during the day. I am sorry. I wish they didn't send that message.
Now, about your symptoms:
You have a high fever, chills and aches and throat pain. This is typical of strep throat or influenza. A very bad cold can do this too, but given your symptoms I think it would be a good idea to go to your doctor or an urgent care clinic for a throat swab.
With the throat swab, they can do both a rapid strep test and a rapid flu test right away. They can also have a look at your throat and feel you lymph nodes (usually abnormal with strep).
If the rapid strep is positive, strep is still pretty easy to treat (i.e. not much antibiotic resistance) with penicillin or amoxicillin.
If the rapid strep is negative but your throat looks like strep, you will be given an antibiotic too.
And if negative, the swab should be sent for culture which takes 24 - 36 hours to do.
If the rapid flu is positive, you may be offered an antiviral such as amantidine or rimantidine. I am not a fan of these meds for flu, as it is usually only effective if started in the first 3 days, it doesn't cure it, and there is controversy over whether the risk/benefit is worth it.
So for flu, just rest, Tylenol, soups and hot tea.
One other concern: you mention thick green mucus from throat. So I will assume you are not coughing this up from your lungs? Because if you are, a chest X-ray is needed to make sure you don't have pneumonia.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provider further information or clarification.
Time to go in for a throat swab - more information below:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
First an apology about what Health Care Magic promises - immediate response and that the doctor is working on your concern. I think Americans prefer straight forwardness (at least I do). During the day, when Americans write in, there are not as many doctors answering as at night as most of the physicians are XXXXXXX (or Albanian) - not a lot of XXXXXXX docs. So it can take awhile for a doc to see your question during the day. I am sorry. I wish they didn't send that message.
Now, about your symptoms:
You have a high fever, chills and aches and throat pain. This is typical of strep throat or influenza. A very bad cold can do this too, but given your symptoms I think it would be a good idea to go to your doctor or an urgent care clinic for a throat swab.
With the throat swab, they can do both a rapid strep test and a rapid flu test right away. They can also have a look at your throat and feel you lymph nodes (usually abnormal with strep).
If the rapid strep is positive, strep is still pretty easy to treat (i.e. not much antibiotic resistance) with penicillin or amoxicillin.
If the rapid strep is negative but your throat looks like strep, you will be given an antibiotic too.
And if negative, the swab should be sent for culture which takes 24 - 36 hours to do.
If the rapid flu is positive, you may be offered an antiviral such as amantidine or rimantidine. I am not a fan of these meds for flu, as it is usually only effective if started in the first 3 days, it doesn't cure it, and there is controversy over whether the risk/benefit is worth it.
So for flu, just rest, Tylenol, soups and hot tea.
One other concern: you mention thick green mucus from throat. So I will assume you are not coughing this up from your lungs? Because if you are, a chest X-ray is needed to make sure you don't have pneumonia.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provider further information or clarification.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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