Strep again

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

You know, I tell my superiours everytime they try to give me a patient that is strep positive that I don't need that patient, or you can be assured I will have strep. Sometimes I get strep when I can never recall being in contact with it. I have had at least 4 cases a year since I was 6. Now that I am nursing, every time I have had a patient positive for strep, I give it.

Well, I tried to tell them this when they were sending up a patient strep positive, and when they sent me the second patient strep positive. No one listened. They just laughed and told me to wash my hands. Well, here I sit after calling in sick this morning. I have a 102 temp that no amount of tylenol and motrin is breaking, and I freezing to death, and I have a sore throat with red streaks and "pus pockets". And that awful strep taste in my mouth.

Do they just think this is funny? Am I being punished for something?

[RNAnnjeh, MSN, CNS]

I'm the same way. Just say strep throat and I'm sick the next day.

Maybe some higher power has a twisted sense of humour????

Gargle and sleep, my dear!

[TX_ICU_RN]

I would take this very seriously. I has problems with strep throughout my childhood. When I graduated from nursing school, I went into pedi. In 2001, I took a job as a PNP in a suburban clinic (the docs had us work even with a fever and positive rapid strep). Nine months and 13 cases of strep later, I had to have a T&A. Post T&A I got symptomatic strep once and then thought I was finally done with it. In October 2003, I started having some really strange symptoms that did not seem to fit together. Two months later, I found myself on a cardiac unit with a diagnosis of pericarditis r/t rheumatic fever. Fortunately, I have no lasting heart damage...but it was an ordeal.

[becmeister]

Have you considered getting a tonsillectomy? My son has had five infections since July, he is getting his tonsils out in April. Make yourself an appointment to see an ENT specialist

[Poochee]

Hope you feel better soon, I've had strep throat before, and it was no joke.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

What is going on with the strep this year?? I'm used to it; I get it at least 2x/year since I was a kid, but last month I somehow ended up with group B strep... in my throat. Definitely got some funny looks at work with that one. A girl I work with got group C strep, which most of us had never even heard of. Turns out it's mostly found in livestock.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Of course your tonsils may just grow back. Mine did.

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Probably one need to see your doctor. Two if you are getting it that often see an ENT if you still have you tonsils. Three if you have pets, get them to the vet and have them checked to see if they are a host that could by chance just be passing it back and forth to you as it does happen. Or if you have had your tonsils removed, and non of the above apply, you might have an immune problem.

Rj

[banditrn]

I've been down all week with it, and it finally went into my ears. I, too, have suffered with it since I was a child - altho I haven't had it so much the last few years. I made an appointment, went and saw the doc yesterday, and he gave me an antibiotic.

Now, I think my eardrum ruptured last night - a few years ago I had a tube put in my L ear. The tube came out at least a year ago. I woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain in that ear - got up and took 2 Vicodin. I woke up later with all sorts of fluid coming out of that ear, and it didn't hurt anymore. I don't know if the hole that was there re-opened or not. I don't know if I should get it checked or not.

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

Bandit: get the ear checked.

For all of you: getting your tonsils removed does not mean you won't ever get strep again.

I agree with getting your pets, and any human household contacts, checked to see if someone is a carrier. I worked with a nurse who would get dog-sick every couple of months with strep. She had three grandchildren who lived with her. I kept telling her to get them checked as one of them is very likely a carrier.

[preemieRNkate, RN]

What is going on with the strep this year?? I'm used to it; I get it at least 2x/year since I was a kid, but last month I somehow ended up with group B strep... in my throat. Definitely got some funny looks at work with that one. A girl I work with got group C strep, which most of us had never even heard of. Turns out it's mostly found in livestock.

Eliza, how the heck did you get that??? I've managed to go a whole year strep-free (knock on wood!!), but it's probably only a matter of time before I get it again. I usually average 2x/year.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Eliza, how the heck did you get that??? I've managed to go a whole year strep-free (knock on wood!!), but it's probably only a matter of time before I get it again. I usually average 2x/year.

Dude, I have NO idea. None of the reasons my coworkers were all giggling about it would apply here. The only thing I can think is MAYBE I had a delivery with a GBS positive mom and I somehow got vernix or something in my eyes/nose/cut on my skin before we bathed the kid? Is that even possible? It really makes no sense at all.