Strep Throat?? Please answer?

Question

I get strep throat pretty often, but I don't remember my throat ever hurting this bad. It hurts to drink water. I can't eat anything because it hurts to bad. Would this be strep throat or something else? Also, my mom had strep throat a few days ago/last week, so that's why I think it is strep throat, I don't have any $$$ to go to the doctor, so I am taking the medicine she has left over, but will this help? Or do I have to the doc anyways...like I said...I don't have the money to go for them to say "yep...you have strep throat..." and give me a prescription (which I also wouldnt be able to afford). So should I just keep taking the meds they gave her, or what? Thanks in advance!

Also, I am 19, so my mom won't pay for it...I take care of everything I get..

Yes, I do have a job, but I have no insurance, I babysit 5 days week.50+ hours a week. I only make $150 a week and I have car insurace to pay and now I have to get my transmission fixed so I have to save ALL my $$ except gas money/insurance.

I have had my tonsils and adniods (sp??) taken out...but I still get it atleast once a year.

Answer 1

If it's enough to get rid of the infection. Otherwise you will have to go to the doctor and get a full prescription. Be careful strep is nothing to mess around with and I know it hurts like hell

Answer 2

My sympathies. I used to get strep all the time. My Mom despaired of my getting the dreaded strep because if anyone whispered it, I got it.
People really shouldn't share meds. One never knows what will happen. By that same token, Meds with regard to strep should be taken fully until the meds are gone. Not stopped when the discomfort goes away. So, the two of you would be risking being contagious still and again.
My mom used to make me these awesome orange sherbert smoothies. To make sure my body was getting what it needed, she would put a raw egg in it with milk and crushed vitamin C and a banana. The cold would help control the swelling and in turn reduce the pain. Even a little was a big help. Soup broth and smoothies.
I know that some docs will work with you on a payment plan. Some may even be able to give you samples of the meds as opposed to sending you off to the pharmacy with a script. But you have to ask and explain that you don't have money for a script to be filled.
The next time you do grocery shopping, get some echinacea and vitamin C. It will help boost your immune system.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I know it's hard to pay for medical care but I think in this case you need to go see a doctor, for a couple of reasons. First, strep throat can develop into something more serious; and second, you already started to take a medicine that you will need more of or you could get worse. Are there any free clinics in your area?

If your mom had strep throat, they gave her antibiotics for it, which she should have taken until they were all gone. If she didn't have strep throat, then the medicine isn't an antibiotic but possibly something for the pain.
If your mom didn't take the antibiotic until it's all gone she could develop an antibiotic-resistant form of the illness. She could have a relapse which would be harder to treat than the original strep throat.

For the same reason, you shouldn't take "leftover" antibiotics, because whatever is left over is not a full course of treatment, and you could end up getting worse. But since you did start to take the leftovers, you need to get more to be sure you have a full course of treatment.

Please do go to a doctor to get a throat culture done to see if you have strep throat, especially since you might have started to take an antibiotic that you'll need more of (unless it was a pain medicine). Strep throat if left untreated can develop into other more serious illnesses--see this website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000639.htm. Tell the doctor you started to take the antibiotic so s/he'll know which one to prescribe. Here's a website explaining about why you (and your mom) should take all of an antibiotic:
http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/antibiotics.html

Answer 4

god i know how you feel i have been sick for 6 days and i am so behind in school anyhowww here are some things that might help To prevent dehydration caused by strep throat, drink plenty of fluids.Drinking plenty of fluids that contain electrolytes (sports drinks like Gatorade) will help ensure that you are staying properly hydrated. Hydration is key to a smooth recovery from a strep throat, and it feels good to swallow liquids. Eating plenty of soup will help you get rid of strep throat. A lot of people feel no desire to eat once they've contracted a strep infection. It's important that you get something in your stomach, even if you're about to swallow your tonsils. Try to find soups without a lot of sodium Gargling with Salt Water is a popular strep throat treatment. Gargling with salt water to treat a strep throat works by a rather simple principle: salt draws water from the swollen cells that are causing you pain and the inability to swallow foods. Not only that, but brine kills bacteria, decreasing the chances of the infection spreading. That's the theory anyway. I just think it feels good. thats all i've got

Answer 5

Yeah honney, that is good 'ol strep throat! I remember on my 16th birthday, I had it soooooo bad. I thought something TERRIBLE was wrong with me, like cancer or something, because I couldn't swallow a tylenol! I remember drinking a sip of water and it poured right out of my mouth because everything was sooo swolen and infected! I would continue to take your mom's antibiotic. If you don't take an antibiotic like Pennicillin or Ammoxicillin......etc......it won't go away. My mom and I used to do that, she was a single mom, so we didn't have a lot of money. If it gets worse or is not better in a few days, you will HAVE to got to the Dr. Espicially with Strep, the Dr's say if you don't COMPLETELY finish all of the antibiotics prescribed to you, your immune system is very sensitive to catching it again. So as soon as you get some money, I would go to the Dr. and explain everything, maybe they can give you a cortizone shot or something to build your immunity towards it.

Just a side note-------------I used to get strep throat 3-4 times a year until I got my tonsils out......haven't even had a MILD sore throat since! Best thing I ever did! Helped with allergies, sinus and everything! Very painful recovery when you are older though!

Hope you fell better! I feel your pain....that sucks! God Bless!

-Wow, I can't spell or type tonight, huh!

Answer 6

Do not, do not, do not take your mom's medication. This is absolutely the worst way to treat an infection. If you do actually have strep throat, you need to get your own prescription for a full course of therapy, not just a few days of whatever she has left over. Taking antibiotics inappropriately leads to resistant bacteria that are difficult to treat. If you can find a way to pay for the doctor's visit, the medication will probably be very inexpensive. Wal-Mart offers lots of antibiotics on its $4.00 list, and Rite-Aid as well as some other pharmacies will price match this. If you do get to the doctor, make sure to tell them you can't afford an expensive prescription. I hope you get to feeling better soon!

Answer 7

How odd your mother won't help you.

Recurring strep throat has been successfully treated by having tonsils removed. Something else I suppose you cannot afford.

So, 19...surely you have a job, right? And your health is important.

Antibiotics usually make you feel better within 1 to 2 days. They lower the chance you will get either a serious infection near your tonsils (peritonsillar abscess) or rheumatic fever, which can damage your heart. They also lower the chance that you will spread the infection to other people. Most people who take antibiotics for their strep throat are not contagious 24 to 48 hours after starting the medicine.

Answer 8

If you have a full cycle supply of antibiotics, then take them all the way through, but if your mom only took some of them, and now you are taking some of them, you are basically allowing that strain of strep - or whatever it is - build up immunity to whatever antibiotic your mom was prescribed.

Strep is really only about 10% of sore throats - If you really have strep, then I would recommend getting it taken care of before it leads to other problems.

If you want to self treat without antibiotics, try this plan of attack for one week. If you have not bounced back, go to a doctor:

Gargle warm saline (salt in water) for at least 45 seconds, as little as 3 times a day, as often as every hour...
Pick up and take:
Goldenseal. Enchinea. Zinc, Vitamin C...
Drink plenty of fluids (water, fruit juices like cranberry, citrus wedges in water or direct, green tea, enchinea tea, etc.)
Get plenty of sleep
Optional: You can pick up a vitamin pack called "Airborn", which works pretty well.

Anyway, try it, but set a limit of 7 days before you go to a doc...if you can't afford it, you might be able to link up with a free clinic or med van; check with your local church.

God luck!

Answer 9

In many towns, there are clinics that assist low income households with this exact problem.
Try calling the local Health Department for a referral. Explain your money issues and they may have an answer for you.
Be warned about taking medication that is not yours. Chances are you have a sinus problem if you keep getting "strep". Only a doctor who knows his stuff can tell you for sure.
Many doctors also have Rx samples in the office to help people with your situation.

Answer 10

Strep throat is not to be ignored.If your mom had it and she got medication for herself but not for you? Try Chloraseptic throat spray and take some Advil or Motrin for the pain.You really need to go see a doctor.Strep throat infection can be fatal.Please take care of yourself.Also make some tea with fresh ginger and honey.Feel better.Dont take your mom's medicene, you need to take anti-biotics for 5-7 days depending on the prescription.