Throat

[KevinStarke]

Gaaaaaah... yesterday my throat started hurting, that dry scratchy feelin and the pain when you swallow and what not. Today its even worse, the pain spread up to my nasal cavity and swalling hurts like a mo fo, glands are swollen to **** too... cant really go to a doctor but does anyone know what might be the problem and what I could possibly do to remedy it or nullify the annoyance?

[Optimum08]

99% sure its strep. get to the doc just so he can classify it and give you some antibiotics to fight it. or you can try to get someone you trust to "paint" it with iodine (don't swallow), you can try gargling with salt water as well for temp. relief. but definetly get to the doc to get the antibiotics.

[Optimum08]

i only know this cuz i had it a couple of months ago. it got so bad that i didn't even swallow my saliva and instead just spit it out cuz it hurt too bad. needless to say my appetite was pretty sh*tty and i lost weight.

[Clifford Gillmore]

Fluids are great.

[Progress]

I'm assuming you don't have medical insurance if you can't go to the doc. I recommend you take some echinacea, a TON of vitamin C and drink a lot of water. I've gotten sore throats before but it hasn't been strep since I was a kid. Do you have post nasal drip? Do you have mucus? What color is it?

[ectx]

If it's strep, you seriously need to go see a doctor. You can tell if it's strep because you'll get white little pustules on your throat with strep, although the best way to tell is getting a rapid strep test. If you're still a student, go to the student health clinic.

Now a word on strep and why you need to see a doctor

If left untreated your body will start making antibody against the bug and rid you of it, but this is a bad thing. The problem is the bug has a protein sticking out of it called M protein that looks like heart muscle. It's the main thing your body will make antibody to. Without antibiotics, your body makes loads of antibodies against your heart and next time you get strep throat your body will begin to attack your heart.

This is known as rheumatic fever and ...

Again, this is a bad thing.

Go to your university clinic or a local free clinic. Treatment is very cheap. Strep is one of the few bugs that doesn't develop resistance to penicillin. Penicillin is very cheap. Take a 10-11 day course of penicilliin and you'll actually feel better after a day or two of taking the pills. Just get your ass to the docs. Do not pass go, do not collect 200$...do get some meds and heal up.

[KevinStarke]

I dont go to a University yet and I have no insurance, would they hook me up if I was a walkin? and how much would that cost?

[ectx]

Yeah, they'll take walk ins. The usual cost for an emergency clinic is $45. It varies though. You might want to try a community clinic. They're cheaper to free and usually give out the necessary meds so you won't have to pay for them. In connecticut you can dial 211 to get your local community clinic or find one. Try this link for more info. If you don't see your town, give them a call anyway. They should be able to help you.

[razorcut]

If it's strep, you seriously need to go see a doctor. You can tell if it's strep because you'll get white little pustules on your throat with strep, although the best way to tell is getting a rapid strep test. If you're still a student, go to the student health clinic.

Now a word on strep and why you need to see a doctor........

^^^^
Good post. Info of which everyone should be made aware.

To the OP, try a community clinic. No insurance is no big deal. That's why such clinics exist. It may be strep, and it may be nothing more than a bad viral upper respiratory infection. Regardless, get it checked. Best of luck.

[McIrish]

Geez, Kev, for being an in-shape guy, you have the worst health ever We should just make a section of this forum for KStarke's sprains/strains/infectious diseases, etc.

Just kidding - hope you're on the mend. I agree with ectx and razor, hit up the community clinic and get the medicine sooner rather than later. Feel better, bro!

[KevinStarke]

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll check out a community clinic.

McIrish - Dude I know, the ironic part though is that I havent been drinking/smoking/or doing doses at all recently and I feel like I get sicker when im not partaking in such things!

[ectx]

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll check out a community clinic.

Let us know what you decided on and what the doctor told you. Keep us updated.

[TwiloMike]

McIrish - Dude I know, the ironic part though is that I havent been drinking/smoking/or doing doses at all recently and I feel like I get sicker when im not partaking in such things!

Heh. Don't you know? Drugs don't only kill you, they also kill what ails you.

[ericg]

EC is the man. Nice posting bro

Good luck with whatever you have Kev, hopefully its not strep.