Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. As per your complain sore throat along with chills and fever is a clear indication of throat infection that can be either bacterial or viral in origin. If culture is negative for strep then it can be due to viral infection and in that case antibiotics will be of no help provided if there is secondary bacterial infection. For confirmation consult an otolaryngologist or an ENT expert and get evaluated. He can do investigations like throat swab culture to check for viral infection that can help in diagnosis. You can be advised: -Anti-inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen can be taken to relive pain. -Doing warm saline gargles, steam inhalation and using a humidifier in your room can be very much relieving. -You can also suck throat lozenges to soothe the throat. -Gargle with numbing mouthwash containing Lignocaine. -Gargle with antiseptic solution like few drops of betadine in water. -Chew Vitamin C pellets to boost up the immunity. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Honey Arora