sore throat, but not strep (allergy, pain, my throat, pregnant)

[ktk9]

I have a very painful sore throat... had it for about a week now. I went in to the doctors to get a throat culture, but it came up negative. It was the quick 10 minute one.

I have no symptoms of strep, other than the white spots on the throat, redness, and severe pain in swallowing, talking, and caughing.

The doctors nurse said that they would call and let me know if there is anything else they can help me with. They called me with in 10 minutes of leaving and told me to come back the next day for an office visit to see if it was anything else. I told them no because I live an hour away from the doctor, I already took 2 hours drive time, 1 hour wait time, away from work today... I am not about to do that again tomorrow to just hear the same thing.

So, I am hoping you all can help, and let me know if there are any OTC medications, or natural ways to get rid of this...

Thanks in advance

[Viralmd]

What they didn't wasn't a culture. That takes a couple of days. It's a quick test for Streptococcus based on the biochemical characteristics of the organism.

[myrc60]

See this topic on this forum http://www.city-data.com/forum/healt...uman-kind.html

I started taking 2000mg of Ester C this past weekend. My symptoms have decreased drastically by doing that. Maybe it will help you too.

[Torrie]

Do you know if you have chronic fatigue in your blood? A sore throat can be one of the symptoms that some people experience; or like myrc60 says it could be allergies. Do read the link listed above. That Ester-C is a great product and might work for you.

[sgresident]

I would try the warm salt water gargle. used to do this all the time as a kid. lots of hot beverages, along with some tylenol and try to determine if you have some type of allergy. I see you are in colorado, it is typically dry there, so probably not mold issues, maybe it is too dry and you need a humidifier. I remember vacationing in CO and really being too dry..nasal passages etc.

[Niners fan]

For sore throats I like Golden Seal, Grapefruit Seed Extract (my favorite), and Vitamin C. There is also a homeopathic sore throat remedy that I have found useful for short term relief.

For my kids I give them a spoonful of honey. It is soothing and has some antimicrobial properties.

If you try the Grapefruit Seed Extract either get the capsules (not tablets) or the liquid. If you get the liquid then dissolve the 10-15 drops in about 1/2 inch of apple juice. Let it dissolve for a few minutes before drinking it. Then be ready to follow it up with more juice. It is very bitter.

[hutch5]

When I was pregnant and could not take medications I would mix the juice of half a lemon with 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey and sip it making sure it would touch the walls of my throat. I would repeat every 2 or 3 hours.
It is very soothing and normally my symptoms would disappear within 36/48 hours.

Hope you feel better soon

[groove1]

My fiance and I both had similar things. it's probably from allergies. tea and honey is good

[doglover29]

I used to get very severe sore throats, with all the little white bits in the back on my throat, severe pain, etc. I was always tested for strep, and it was always negative. I think one sore throat I had lasted for 10 days. Eventually, it will get a little less painful each day until it's completely gone. I know it probably seems right now that it will never go away.

I don't think there is much to be done for a long-lasting sore throat, except to eat soothing things, like ice cream, etc. Once you've tested negative for strep, I don't think there's much you can do but wait it out. Make sure you got the more comprehensive strep test like someone else said--not just the rapid one.

[Miborn]

If you are having drainage from say allergies or a cold it can irritate your throat as well as your stomach from all the mucus.
I get that certain times of the year if the pollens that affect me are high. I either eat halls or spray chloreseptic.