doctors & nurses? what is wrong with me?

Question

i'm sick and i don't know whats wrong. maybe you can help? :)

-strong, really frequent (every 2 sec) cough
-fever (101-102)
-headache around: back on neck, forehead, & nose area
-really weak and always tired
-sore throat
-lightheadness (ah if thats a word) & dizziness
-swollen throat sort of- kind of hard to swallow


THANKS SO MUCH!! i need to know if i need to take a trip to my doctor! :)

Answer 1

I think you should go to the doctor. Although you may just have a case of the flu, it is possible that you have strep throat. Strep, if left untreated, can cause some serious complications, such as scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, kidney disease.

A sore throat can be either an annoying ailment from allergies or a virus, or the symptom of another illness. Strep throat is a contagious disease caused by an infection with Group A Streptococcus (pronounced: strep-toe-kock-cus) bacteria. While anyone can get strep throat, it is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 5 and 16. It is important that you go to a health care provider if you suspect strep, because if left untreated streptococcal throat infections can lead to rheumatic fever and kidney disease. It's also important for teenagers to find out if a bad sore throat is a symptom of mononucleosis.

The symptoms of strep throat vary from person to person. The most common findings include a swollen bright red throat, with dark red spots on the back of the throat, a very sore throat, fever [101° F (38.3° C) to 104° - 105° F (40° C)], and tender swollen lymph nodes under the jaw. Usually the tonsils are red and enlarged. You may also have white pus on your tonsils or your tonsils may be covered with a gray or white coating. It is not uncommon to have a headache, generalized aches and pains, and nausea. The nasal congestion and runny nose associated with the common cold do not usually occur with a strep throat.

A course of antibiotics will clear up strep, but be sure to take all the prescribed meds.

Answer 2

You probably have a virus, and there is nothing a doctor can give you to treat a virus. Treat your symptoms with tylenol and/or advil. Also chloreseptic spray could help your throat. It doesn't sound like strep. If your fever doesn't subside within 36 hours I would recommend going to the doctor. You can alternate tylenol/advil every four hours to keep fever at bay. If you lean your head forward (like put your chin to your chest) and it hurts your neck, you need to go to the doctor ASAP.

Answer 3

sounds like your typical flu. the flu is a viral infection so there is no cure for it (meaning your dr won't be able to give you anything to make it go away). it takes about 10-14 days for a flu to run it's course.

try these things to make you feel better

-use a warm mist humidifier in your room while you sleep. this will help keep the air moist, reducing your cough and also breaking up any nasal or chest congestion you might have so you can cough it up. it will also keep your throat from drying out and becoming more sore

-drink warm tea w/honey. avoid lemon b/c the acid will irritate your throat

-suck on hard candies and ice to soothe your sore throat

-take over the counter flu/cold medicines. try using nyquil at night to help you sleep. if you're able to rest during the day-you can take it then as well. it will relieve your symptoms plus help you sleep. do NOT take ibuprofen or tylenol along with the nyquil or other flu medicine b/c it already has tylenol mixed in it.

-make sure to drink plenty of fluids to ward of dehydration. water,gatorade,or sprite (or similar) work best.

-take a lukewarm bath or shower to ease muscle aches

-if you do feel like eating-stick to bland, non spicy foods that could upset your stomach
-soup
-crackers
-toast
-mashed potatoes
-rice
-applesauce
-jello

these are all good at not upsetting your stomach

rest as much as possible-this is your fastest way to recovery.

report to your dr if

-you don't start to feel better in about 4 days
-you start to have a severe sore throat (even breathing hurts horribly) and you notice white patches on the back of your throat. this indicates strep throat and you'll need antibiotics to treat it
-you start coughing up green,brown, or yellow phlegm and are having trouble breathing (sign of bronchitis-also needs antibiotics)

-you begin to have severe stiffness in your neck (are unable to touch your chin to your chest or can w/severe pain). this is a sign of meningitis and you'll need treatment right away.

hope you feel better soon!!

Answer 4

It sounds like you have a really bad case of the flu. Sorry.

If it's been going on for a few days, I would check with a doctor. Do you cough anything up--if so, what color is it? If it's ANYTHING other than clear, get to the doctor ASAP. I'm not talking about mucus out of your nose, but what comes up when you cough.

Answer 5

I had these symptoms once and had to get a spinal tap for menigitus* but i can't spell. I ended up not having it but better safe than sorry.

Answer 6

Well all simptoms show that its just a regular flu and u should go to the doctor just so they can give you medicine.

Answer 7

If anything, go see your docter.


Good Luck.