Strep?

[Jolie, BSN]

Let me preface this by saying that I will call my doctor in the morning! I'm just curious what you think about this.

I've had a low-grade temp (100.3) for the last 24 hours, along with a scratchy throat. Not reddened or painful, just slightly irritated. No obvious lymph node enlargement. But I do have a large white patch on one tonsil. And my daughter's teacher has already been out sick with strep.

Do you think it's strep or not?

[SmilingBluEyes]

whats your throat LOOK like?

get a culture.

good luck.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Unfortunately, viruses can also cause the white patches, so maybe, maybe not. If you're really interested, you can ask your doc/NP/PA for a rapid strep test, or the more accurate strep culture (which will take 24-48 hours to get back.)

So many of our patients come in with a sore throat and call it strep - I think it's become sort of a generic name for any sore throat. I was absolutely amazed when I started working in office nursing how much stuff can cause a sore throat, complete with white stuff.

I hope you are better soon!

[gypsyatheart]

Working PRN in Peds the last several rears (L&D being my full-time job), we use this protocol:

*temp over 100.5 x 72 hrs

*sore throat

OR

*sore throat persisting longer than 5 days

*sore throat preventing/difficulty w/ fluid intake

These folks get a throat cx and we only tx when positive.

Anyone presenting w/trilogy: sore throat, temp(>100.5), and rash gets seen, usually tx'd, while waiting for cx results.

I can tell you *usually* strep makes you really sick, of course, there's always someone who's a carrier or doesn't follow the *normal* strep stereotype, but typically, very sick.

It's amazing but the majority of the cx (50-60%) come back negative...viruses can mimic the strep bacteria, but w/virus the temp *usually* doesn't persist for >72hrs.

Anyway, hope you feel better. :)