Stressing about possible strep throat infection I've left....

[IToughtISawAPuddyCat]

...I've had horrendous sore throat since last Friday (well, in earnest, since last Saturday afternoon). It hurts so bad when I swallow that sometimes I feel it into my ears.
Weak and achy often too. But no proper fever...it's been around 37.4 - 37.8 which is higher than my normal base temperature but not a fever proper.
Anyway, I just looked at the back of my throat in the mirror with a torch.
And I saw white spots/patches. they're extremely noticeable on the dangly bit that hangs down in the throat (no idea what it's called). And slightly paler/more diffuse around the tonsils.

So I suspect I may have a strep throat infection. I just looked it up online and read that if left untreated, there's a risk that it can lead to more serious conditions a bit later on (rheumatic fever/heart valve infections were a few of the frightening things I read).

Anyway, now I'm worried that if it is indeed strep throat I've left it too late to get it treated properly....and that I've left myself exposed to the risk of these horrid sounding things in a few weeks...

I do intend to try and see the dr tomorrow, but in the meantime, does anyone have any words of wisdom? Reassurance even..if possible?

Bump

The antibiotics work really quickly. I’ve had it s few times and it’s bedn worse than yours before I got treatment. It is horrible. I gargled with hydrogen peroxide mouth wash which helped a tiny bit and warm salt water.

Please don't worry. I don't think you have left it too late. You may not even have Strep. Go to the GP tomorrow if you feel it needs checking out, but I really don't think you are going to end up with Rheumatic Fever. Try gargling with salt water or mouthwash.

Thanks both.

It felt AWFUL when I was getting toddler DS through bath and bed routine and I was close to tears with exhaustion and pain. And then after I'd got him to bed, I saw the spots and am now convinced it feels a bit better (i.e. it's on its way out naturally - untreated! - and I've clearly left it too late ...that's what I've got it in my head anyway)

I think if your throat gets better by itself (naturally) as many throats infections do, that is not the same as untreated. Untreated would be it's not better and it continues to get worse and worse.

Absolutely. If you don’t have a fever I would suggest your body is probably doing a good job. Worth a visit to gp to check and they may give you antibiotics to take if it gets any worse. My gp is happy to do this-once I did need to take them and another I didn’t.

I recently took dd, who was generally off and complaining of a very sore throat. I was driving myself mad reading that white patches she had indicated bacterial infection. The gp diagnosed tonsillitis and gave me a "just in case" antibiotic prescription. I had followed a viral cold and she wasn't feverish. She got better in two days and we didn't need antibiotics. Have you had a cold recently?

Yes I have..the whole thing started middle of last week with a horrendous cold (totally bunged up and blowing vile yellow snot by the bucketload - sorry for the graphic TMI)

Oops name change fail!

Don't worry. Afaik untreated means a bacterial infection which gets worse not better. I've had strep throat - I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. I was literally drooling.

See your GP tomorrow but don't worry.

Yes @Haudyerwheesht I have had strep throat twice in the last 18 months and I couldn't swallow my salvia! Horrendous

I also had fever and tachycardia (racing heart rate). My symptoms started suddenly and were not related to any cold symptoms.

I agree with the above. Mine came on unrelated to cold and got worse very rapidly indeed.

I was told get the prescription if she got worse, developed a high fever or couldn't eat. But she said she was 99% sure it was self limiting and dd would fight it off. I asked about the white patches and the online stuff that this means bacteria and she said its common in viral tonsillitis too.

I have definitely been dreading swallowing my own saliva and put it off as long as humanely possible

I have seen dr. now. He said I have multiple ulcers (notably on the dangly bit..obv. he didn't use that term) and he did a swab test which confirmed a strep infection.
So I'm pleased I went to the dr (eventually!).
I'm now wracked with guilt that maybe my toddler had it before me - he was a bit under par and very, very snotty with some bad breath for a week or so just before and over Christmas - but I just didn't realise and so it went untreated!?! He seems better now.
How likely do you think this is?

Glad you went to the Dr. I think your toddler was probably fine so don't feel guilty. As you know Strep is so painful I'm sure you would've known if he had been that unwell.