Treating Strep Throat With Z
If your doctor thinks azithromycin is a good choice for you, they may prescribe a generic version of azithromycin or a Z-Pack.
Each Z-Pack contains six 250-milligram tablets of Zithromax. You would take two tablets on the first day, followed by one tablet daily for four days.
A Z-Pack typically takes at least five days to fully work, but it can start to relieve your sore throat and other symptoms on the first day you take it. If your doctor prescribes a generic version of azithromycin, your treatment may only last three days.
Be sure to take your Z-Pack or generic azithromycin exactly as your doctor prescribes. This is true even if you feel better before youve taken the full course of treatment.
If you stop taking an antibiotic early, it could make the infection come back or make future infections more difficult to treat.
Can Mono Be Prevented
There is no vaccine to protect against the Epstein-Barr virus. But you can help protect your kids from mono by making sure that they avoid close contact with anyone who has it.
Many people who have mono won’t have symptoms, but they can still pass it to others. So kids should wash their hands well and often, and not share drinks or eating utensils with others, even people who seem healthy.
What Is Strep Throat
The common cold is often caused by a virus, but strep throat is caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus. This bacteria can live in your nose and throat and is easily spread to other people even if someone doesnt seem like theyre sick! Once someone starts to get sick from strep throat, here are a few common symptoms to look for:
- Extremely sore throat
- Swollen or red tonsils that can have white patches on them
- TIny, red dots on the roof of your mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes around your neck
- Headache
Sometimes people can have other symptoms that affect your GI system including nausea and belly pain. A later symptom of strep throat is a rash which can indicate scarlet fever. People with strep throat rarely have a cough or runny nose, which is usually associated with viral illnesses.
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Antibiotics For Strep Throat: Uses Dosage And Side Effects
Strep throat is a common type of infection that develops both in children as well as adults. It is a type of infection that develops in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria- group A Streptococcus.
The bacteria can enter the body by breathing in air droplets or touching an infected surface.
Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat.
~Center for Disease Control
What Is Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever can develop following a Strep throat infection or scarlet fever. Although rare in the contiguous U.S., the disease is still prevalent in children of Samoan descent living in Hawaii and residents of American Samoa.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever usually show 14 to 28 days after a Strep infection. Because the bacteria trick the body’s immune system into attacking healthy tissues, the disease can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever include:
- Fever
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Mononucleosis Mono Or The Kissing Disease
Mononucleosis is another infection that has very similar symptoms to strep throat. This is why its important to go to a doctor if you have things like a fever, sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes in your throat. If youre treated with antibiotics for strep throat and your symptoms dont go away, this could mean you have mononucleosis which is a viral infection instead of bacterial infection.
Rather than tiny respiratory droplets, mononucleosis is spread through saliva. This can occur if you share food, drinks, utensils and yes, kiss someone with the virus. There are blood tests available to determine if you have mononucleosis.
Unfortunately, there isnt a treatment to cure mononucleosis, the main goal is to treat the symptoms. This includes getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and drinking lots of water. Pain medication can help soothe a sore throat as well as reduce fevers. Working with your doctor, you can create a symptom treatment plan to hopefully help you feel better as your body fights the infection.
How Serious Is Mono
Infectious mononucleosis usually resolves in a few weeks without doing any lasting damage. In rare cases, however, mono can cause life-threatening complications such as ruptured spleen, airway obstruction, or liver damage. In extremely rare cases, an Epstein-Barr virus infection may become chronic, leading to long-term struggles with low white blood cells , liver damage, nerve damage, and pneumonia.
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Can You Get Mono And Strep At The Same Time
When kids get sick, pediatricians usually like to diagnose them with one single thing, so they usually wouldn’t diagnose strep and mono at the same time.
Both strep throat and mono do have similar symptoms, including a sore throat, fever, and swollen glands.
In most cases, though, mono is suspected in a child who tests negative for strep but has persistent symptoms.
Are Mono And Strep Throat Diagnosed The Same Way
If youre suffering from strep throat symptoms, a doctor can properly diagnose you by performing a rapid strep test or throat culture.
During a rapid strep test, your doctor will swab your throat using a long q-tip and then run a test on the swab. If group A strep appears during the test, you will likely be prescribed an antibiotic. In some cases, the test can come back negative, but your doctor may recommend a throat culture if he or she suspects strep throat.
Mono, on the other hand, must be diagnosed through a blood test. This will check for the antibodies that your body makes to fight EBV. Your doctor may also want to test for a high number of white blood cells as this could be an indication of infection.
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Diagnosing Strep Throat And Mono
If patients complain of a persistent sore throat, healthcare providers will physically examine their throat and look for any signs of inflammation or infection. Doctors may also inspect the neck for any swollen lymph nodes along with getting the medical history of the patient.
A rapid strep test may be done in the doctor’s office if strep throat is suspected. This test can help identify if the cause of strep throat is a strep infection or other types of germs. The result of this test is usually available within five minutes. The doctor can also collect a throat swab sample and send it to the laboratory to further identify the causative agent of the infection. The result will be available after a few days unlike the rapid strep test, which has faster results.
When it comes to diagnosing mono, the following tests are done to rule out other possibilities:
How Long Does It Take To Heal From Mononucleosis / What Is The Best Treatment For Mononucleosis
For most people with infectious mononucleosis, symptoms resolve in two to four weeks, but many people may still feel the effects for many more weeks. Some people might take months to get over their symptoms.
There is no medical cure for infectious mononucleosis. The only effective treatments are supportive care such as rest, fluids, and symptom relief. Severe complications, such as ruptured spleen or difficulty breathing, will need immediate medical or surgical treatment.
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Alternatives To Antibiotics For Strep Throat
In addition to taking the above antibiotics, doctors also prescribe trying some remedies to get relief from symptoms of strep throat.
- Gargle with salt water to clear the throat and get relief from the pain.
- Using throat sprays that contain topical anesthetics can provide relief temporarily.
- Keep the throat moist with lozenges
- Sip on warm beverages such as tea with honey, herbal teas, etc. regularly
- Use apple cider vinegar in diluted form while gargling
Pain And Fever Without A Cough Are Common Signs And Symptoms
In general, strep throat is a mild infection, but it can be very painful. The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
- Sore throat that can start very quickly
- Pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Other symptoms may include a headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting especially in children. Someone with strep throat may also have a rash known as scarlet fever .
The following symptoms suggest a virus is the cause of the illness instead of strep throat:
- Cough
- Conjunctivitis
It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to become ill.
A sore throat that starts quickly, pain with swallowing, and fever are some of the common signs and symptoms of strep throat.
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Whats The Treatment For Mono Rash
The rash from mononucleosis should go away on its own as you recover from the infection. Itchiness can be relieved with antihistamines, like Benadryl, and topical steroids.
Your doctor may prescribe these, but you can get them over the counter, too. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking anything over the counter.
If your rash started after taking amoxicillin or ampicillin, talk to your doctor. Your physician may determine that you likely have only a viral infection, and in that case, you wouldnt need to be on antibiotic therapy.
Mononucleosis goes away on its own in four to eight weeks. Mono treatment involves treating the symptoms not the condition itself. Supportive care includes:
- taking Tylenol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for fever and sore throat
- drinking enough fluids to avoid dehydration
- maintaining a healthy diet to help your body fight the infection
- getting enough rest to minimize fatigue
Consult With Your Doctor
One stable truth for both of these conditions is to always consult with your doctor. This is especially true if you are experiencing heavy or difficult symptoms. The doctor may just quickly diagnose you and send you away with a prescription to recover faster, but this is better than the condition getting much worse before seeking medical care. Both of these conditions can have some rare extreme symptoms that can be dangerous. If you experience any symptoms past just a sore throat and other common afflictions, then you should seek medical care.
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Mono Vs Strep Throat Signs And Symptoms
Both of these conditions can cause a sore throat, but there are distinct differences. A sore throat from strep throat will typically lead to enlarged tonsils, and there can also be red and white patches in the throat. Mono will often make an individual feel fatigued, which is typically not a symptom of strep throat. Another possible symptom of mono is an enlarged or swollen spleen. If you feel pain or pressure in your upper left abdomen, then you should contact your doctor immediately.
Where Im At Now 10 Weeks Later:
ALCOHOL: I have not touched a drop of alcohol since my diagnosis. I plan on waiting a full three months before drinking alcohol. I am neither a teetotaler nor a binge drinker, but because of the horror stories Id read online about recovery, spleen and liver damage, and because of how severely ill I became, I am being cautious about what I do or do not do to my spleen and liver.
WEIGHT: Before mono I fell smack dab in the middle of what is medically considered normal weight and BMI range for my height. Over the first 10 days after my strep + mono diagnosis I lost 8 pounds. This was still a normal weight for my height, but I could see more ribs. I lost so much weight so quickly because I could barely swallow. I lost weight because I was unintentionally starving my body, which is something Ive never done.
Once my tonsils and uvula had shrunk enough to tolerate larger foods and I no longer had white spots on my tonsils, I started eating icecream mixed with almond milk. This was one of my favorite foods for the next two weeks. I fell into a habit of eating soup and icecream. I was gaining the weight back with no recourse for exercise. I decided that since I felt like I walked through hell and back, my recovery should be on whatever terms I desired. Folks, I ate a lot of chocolate icecream. I gained those 8 pounds back. And, because I was not exercising, I gained more.
Thanks for reading. Best wishes for a full recovery!
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Protect Yourself And Others
People can get strep throat more than once. Having strep throat does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent strep throat, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.
Good Hygiene Helps Prevent Group A Strep Infections
The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before preparing foods or eating. To practice good hygiene, you should:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you dont have a tissue
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available
You should also wash glasses, utensils, and plates after someone who is sick uses them. These items are safe for others to use once washed.
Wash your hands often to help prevent germs from spreading.
Antibiotics Help Prevent Spreading the Infection to Others
People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they:
- No longer have a fever
- AND
- Have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours
Take the prescription exactly as the doctor says to. Dont stop taking the medicine, even if you or your child feel better, unless the doctor says to stop.
Children And Certain Adults Are At Increased Risk
Anyone can get strep throat, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this common infection.
Strep throat is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. It is rare in children younger than 3 years old. Adults who are at increased risk for strep throat include:
- Parents of school-aged children
- Adults who are often in contact with children
Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor for illness. For example, if someone has strep throat, it often spreads to other people in their household.
Infectious illnesses tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather together. Crowded conditions can increase the risk of getting a group A strep infection. These settings include:
- Schools
- Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat
- About 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep throat
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What Causes An Amoxicillin Rash
While hives are most commonly caused by allergies, doctors arent sure what causes the maculopapular rash to develop.
If your child gets a skin rash without hives or other symptoms, it doesnt necessarily mean that they are allergic to amoxicillin. They may simply be reacting slightly to the amoxicillin without having a true allergy.
More girls than boys develop a rash in reaction to taking amoxicillin. Children who have mononucleosis and then take antibiotics may be more likely to get the rash.
In fact, the amoxicillin rash was first noticed in the 1960s in children who were being treated with ampicillin for mono, according to the Journal of Pediatrics.
The rash was reported to have developed in almost every child, between 80 and 100 percent of cases.
Today, far fewer children receive amoxicillin for mono because its an ineffective treatment, as mono is a viral illness. Still, about 30 percent of children with confirmed acute mono who are given amoxicillin will develop a rash.
Description Of The Intervention
The slight benefit of treatment with antibiotics in patients with GABHS sore throat may be considered relevant. When antibiotics are indicated, a choice needs to be made. In that case, several aspects need to be considered, such as the comparative benefitharm balance, costs, and local antimicrobial resistance patterns. Many guidelines recommend penicillin as a first choice, with erythromycin preferred for people who are allergic to penicillin . To date, resistance of GABHS to penicillin has only been documented incidentally , and resistance to erythromycin is still low . Considering the growing problem of antibiotic resistance for other pathogens, this responsiveness of GABHS should not be endangered . Penicillin and erythromycin are cheap and the most costeffective option. Despite this, physicians continue to prescribe broadspectrum antibiotics, including recently marketed ones. It is not clear if these antibiotics have any substantial clinical benefit over penicillin .
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What Are The Symptoms Of Mono
Mono impacts all ages, including young children, but its most common in teenagers and college-aged adults. As you get older, the symptoms of mono tend to get more severe.
Because the symptoms of mono are so similar to those of the cold and flu, most people are quick to incorrectly diagnose themselves.
Those suffering from mono usually experience the following symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Rash
- Loss of appetite
Typically, symptoms of mono last two to four weeks however, about 10% of those with the infection have noted persistent fatigue past six months .
