strep and mono seem to have the same symptoms. Im not sure what i have, so is there any way i can check myself for either without going to the doctor?
ps. i was diagnosed with strep, but my doc didnt run any tests, he just looked at my throat and said it was strep.
2007-02-23 08:32:46 · 9 answers · asked by Legend 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Strep and mono do indeed have very similar signs and symptoms. Thankfully, however, they are also very different in many ways as well.
Strep throat, caused by the bacteria streptococcus pyogenes, generally has a much shorter course and a more rapid onset. Sore throat is usually the primary complaint, but it is often accompanied by a high fever and tender lymph nodes (little, soft lumps) in your neck. Looking in the back of someone's throat often shows big, beefy red tonsils with white exudates (films if you will.) Having a cough, runny nose, or other respiratory symptoms generally increase the chance of this NOT being strep, but rather a boring old, run of the mill viral sore throat. All these positives and negatives summed together gives you a pretty good idea if someone has strep throat or not, but you cannot necessarily make the diagnosis on clinical symptoms alone as, like most infections, it presents differently in different people. Even with a classic picture of strep many cases will be caused by a normal, not-so-special virus or, possibly, mono.
Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and presents much more slowly with many more systemic signs and symptoms like severe fatigue, achiness, and a generalized not feeling good. Unfortunately a sore throat is common as well as tender lymph nodes in the neck and a white exudate in the back of the throat (the exudates do usually look a bit different mind you.) Fever too is common. Really what helps differentiate the two are the systemic signs, slow onset, prolonged course, and good old fashioned laboratory tests.
If you really don't want to go to the doctor, though, you're good in both cases. (Not that I am necessarily advocating not seeking medical care, everyone has their own priorities and circumstances.) While antibiotics can significantly help in the resolution of strep throat and reduce some of the rare complications, most cases can and do resolve without any pharmaceutical help or problems whatsoever. Mono, on the other hand, is its own beast. You simply have to wait this one out. Although there are some antiviral medications for EBV they are not generally, if ever, used for mono and usually have only limited efficacy anyway. Basically you get some over the counter meds for the pain and fever, a firm hand shake, and are sent along your way with a list of the various potential but uncommon complications.
2007-02-23 11:46:38 · answer #1 · answered by El_Guapo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need a throat culture done.I went through the same thing with one of my daughters the Dr just gave antibiotics as though it was a common sore throat but when it kept getting worse and her glands were so swollen I was afraid she would choke I took her to the ER that is how she got the test and it was mono.
Mono has to run it's course but not strep throat,both can be dangerous and I wouldn't advise you to ignore this.
2007-02-24 01:23:13 · answer #2 · answered by jackiedj8952 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White spots on the throat are usually a good indicator of strep. Mono lasts a week or so and is mostly characterized by fatigue.
2007-02-23 08:41:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do have similar symptoms, but most people who have mono are very weak and drained of energy, more than strep. If you doc thought it was potentially mono I am sure that he would have tested for it since it is highly contagious.
2007-02-23 08:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by Shmesh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im have had both many times. They thought i had strepp and they tested me 6 times! I had mono the whole time. I was out of school on and off for like a whole month! Mono is terrible!
Symptoms for mono:
-Fatigue
-Shortness of breath
-Throat hurts horribly worse than strepp
-Run a temperature
-Dehydration
I'm sorry but... you might have to be tested.
P.S.- you feel alot worse with mono.
2007-02-23 08:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually when it's mono the glands(side of throat) will become very swollen trust me if it happens you'll know, also another one cramps in the abdominal area this is due to swelling of the spleen one of the adverse things that mono causes
2007-02-23 08:38:18 · answer #6 · answered by hbettag 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you wont get over either without antibiotics, you need to see a doctor
2007-02-23 08:36:40 · answer #7 · answered by whateverbabe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who went to med school longer?
Or you could go to an ENT.
2007-02-23 09:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hes a doc, they no what to look for.....
2007-02-23 08:36:15 · answer #9 · answered by troble # one? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋