Severe Sore Throat - When do I go to GP?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I've had a really nasty sore throat since Monday. I haven't been checking my temperature, but I certainly seem feverish in the afternoons and evenings (I think I'm very cold, I just want to lie down).

I know a GP told me, after X days of a sore throat, it must be bacterial, you need treatment. Was it three? Or five?

(I'm 100% sure this is strep. I've had it before. When it came on, I thought, this is strep. Maybe I should have gone to the GP then.)

[KateandtheGirls]

If you really think it's strep I would go to the doctors as soon as you can. They can do a test and get you on antibiotics as soon as possible.

Hope you feel better soon.

[LIZS]

tbh if you've had it before you know where it is headed. I have a stash of throat lozenges and a spray but if that doesn't catch it then it is off to the drs. I've had a bacterial followed by a viral less than a week later.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Unfortunately, lozenges annoy me, and the spray always ends up freezing my tongue. I take fruit teas, gargle with salt water, and take pills to help me sleep (codeine). Oh, and this time around, I'm living on oatmeal. I'm breastfeeding, so I have to eat, no matter how little I feel like it, or I go all green and nauseated.

Right, phoning the docs this am. Here's hoping for some antibiotics. Not great while breastfeeding, but this week is killing me.

[bathmummy]

I have used the sprays and the lozenges and agree about the freezing tongue bit - not much use. Hope the GP will give you a phone consultation and help you out.
If you ahve to wait to go in - have you tried gargling TCP? I know it is really really disgusting but as a last resort when I have a bad infection I use this and is very unpleasant to do but really helps to numb te pain and kill off any lurking bugs. Just a thought.
Hope it is sorted out fast.

[NotQuiteCockney]

What is TCP?

[LIZS]

Think she means the yellow antiseptic liquid. Used ot make me retch as did trying to gargle with soluble aspirin or paracetamol.

btw have you got a headache across your forehead and into the temples, supposed to be one of the classic symptoms.

[NotQuiteCockney]

No, no headache. Sore ears, though.

The GP phoned, and agreed to see me, so at least I'll get checked over. Living on oatmeal and feeling like crap is really wearing me out.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Pants. I got "it's viral", which means "sod off". Oh, and apparently I should "curtail my activity level". You think? And how, exactly, do I convince my 3-year-old of this?

I guess I'll see if I can get him a lift to school in the morning. Or something. This is where my whole walk-everywhere-don't-drive system falls apart, it appears.

[LIZS]

sorry, don't suppose that makes you feel any better.

[bundle]

i had such a sore throat about a year ago i could barely swallow, my gp took one look at it and said oh dear, prescribed ab's and i felt better within a day

[Bugsy2]

its very difficult to know if a sore throat is viral or bacterial. Generally speaking if your tonsils are covered in white spots it is considered a bacterial infection & you'll get abs.
Since I was a teenager I have suffered endlessly from tonsillitus, pharyngitus & laryngitus & have been offered tonsillectomies by numerous GPs but am too scared to have the op. However, I am an expert on alleviating sore throat symptoms.
Here are my tips:
Drink lots of fluid (preferably water or squash with ice in it)
Use Difflam spray - available from pharmasist - as often as allowed
Gargle with Difflam or Oraldene, both fairly disgusting but good
Alternate gargles with soluble asprin solutions
Take as much nurofen & paracetamol as allowed
Take echinacea & vit C
Go to bed early!!!!!!
Hope this helps

[NotQuiteCockney]

bundle, I've had exactly the same experience. Several times. Saying "this is the same as then" carries no weight.

Bugsy2, you sound like you know your stuff! I will send DH off to the pharmacist.

The GP said my tonsils were ok. I don't have any tonsils! (Ok, maybe they lied to me when they said they removed them. Maybe they grew back. Either way, huh?)

Now I just have to scrounge up lifts, gah.

[KateandtheGirls]

Didn't they do a swab for strep?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I thought they did, KATG.

I might be getting better now, who knows. I've sorted some of the help I need for tomorrow, so hopefully I'll just lie better and heal.

Oh, and gargling with soluble paracetamol helps, too!

[Dior]

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