Why no antibiotics for a sore throat?

[allicat]

I know most of us dont have our medical degrees but just a question Im hoping someone might know the answer to-

I was terribly sick yesterday with hoarseness and sore throat- I couldnt swallow at all, my body hurt all over and a high fever(almost 104)
Went to the Dr. and they did a strep test(negative)

The Dr. only seemed concerned with the fever, not my sore throat and didnt give me any antibiotics! I cant understand it.
I had a sore throat like this about 2 months ago and they gave me an antibiotic to take for 10 days. Now, all Im supposed to be taking is Advil and Tylenol!
I didnt ask the Dr. why. I should have, but didnt think of it then, I felt so sick I just wanted to go home!

 

[mtemm]

most likely its a virus, not a bacterial infection. antibiotics do nothing for virus'.

 

[piratesmate]

As you said, I'm not a doctor . . . . and I don't play one on TV.

If it's not bacterial (strep) the antibiotics won't do any good. There's nothing they can do for viral stuff except let it run its course. They're afraid of giving antibiotics too often now because some of the germs develop resistance to them, making them harder to kill.

That being said, if you aren't better in a few days you might want them to run the strep test again. Sometimes it doesn't show with those "quick" tests they do. DD tested negative last year, but kept getting worse. They re-ran it 2 days later (we went back) and it came up positive.

Hope you're better soon!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

antibiotics don't help if your sore throat is caused by a virus.

there's been a huge increase in the use of antibiotics when they're not necessary, and now the germs are becoming drug-resistant. so to keep the drugs potent for what they can cure, doctors won't give them for things they can't cure.

 

[Blondie]

It's pretty much rule of thumb anymore, negative strep, no antibiotics. As previously mentioned, it's due to overusage and certain strains becoming resistant to antibiotics.

 

[Blondie]

Oh, and I hope you feel better soon!

 

[minniecarousel]

I think you got the answer as to why you didn't get antibiotics this time, but it's curious that you got them for the previous illness.

I hope you're feeling better soon - I used to get sore throats & they really had me down.

 

[allicat]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and good wishes!
I, too, find it odd that I had antibiotics for the last sore throat, which wasnt strep, but not this time.
I am supposed to be going back on Monday so maybe they are doing another strep test at that time?!

 

[niks81]

Have you ever tried Cepacol? I had the same problem as you did before....sore throat, no step, no antibiotics. But my throat was KILLING me....my DH went to Walgreens and got me Cepacol and it was nice to have it. You spray it on the back of your throat, and it kind of numbs it....and you can swallow for awhile without pain.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon

 

[Micca]

Sore throat is my chronic illness. I get it about 3 times a year and it really gets me down. If there's any chance that your sore throat is a result of sinus drainage, you might consider an otc antihistamine. Surely your doc would have mentioned that if he thought that was the problem. If you decide to try it, check the box for interactions with any other drugs you might be taking
Get well soon

 

[momof2inPA]

I think my son has the same illness. Sore, hoarse throat and fever. His fever was so high the other night he was hallucinating-- scary. He also has an ear infection, so he did get an antibiotic. It's been 3 days and he feels feverish again. Hope you feel better, soon.

I hate to even ask for an anti-biotic for myself anymore. The doctors treat you like a heroin addict, like you want a controlled substance. Then, they give you the talk about antibiotic resistance as if you're a four year old. Yes, I've read the literature. I'm 36, I know when I'm sick, and I usually go to the doctor once or twice a year. Just give me some amoxicillin and save the speech.

Sorry, a pet peeve of mine.

 

[Mercy]

My son has been sick all week, fevers on and off, not feeling well, sore throat (even though he really didn't mentioned the sore throat until we got to the doctors). Anyway, finally took him to the doctors yesterday, cause his fever was up again. Come to find out he has strept throat, a bad case too. I felt terrible, I should have taken him sooner. But I thought it was just a virus and it would just have to run it's course.

momof2inPA... you might want to get your son checked out just to be sure.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Don't feel to bad. Strep is funny... It can have many different symptoms!!! My son had it, and he never complained of a sore throat... When I finally took him to the doctor on a Monday after DS was sick all weekend, I was surprized that the doctor immediately ordered the quick test (positive) and diagnosed the strep and gave DS some strong antibiotics. When I acted a little surprized, the Doctor said he sees that all the time.. That strep does not always mean that the kids throat is really burning!

 

[momof2inPA]

Originally posted by Mercy
momof2inPA... you might want to get your son checked out just to be sure.

I did have him in to the doctor on Wed. for the ear. If he isn't better next week, I'll take him back. Thanks for the concern.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm glad they didn't! Most docs are quick to hand out antibiotics, and people are becoming immune to them and they aren't good for you if you dont need them! Its a shame they gave them to you unnecessarily the last time around.

I hope your sore throat is better soon... time, rest, and throat numbers will do the trick =)

 

[Poohnatic]

I've had a sore throat all week, too, but I know mine is allergy related from all the sinus blockage.

I avoid antibiotics like the plague...want them to work when they're needed!

Suzanne