HELP: I've been coughing for 2 months? DOCTORS, NURSES?

Question

Ok, I've been having cold symptoms for couple weeks, starting 2 months ago -sore throat, general malaise/weakness, feeling tired and coughing (dry cough).

While all other symptoms went away on their own....the cough persisted and has gotten worse. Feels like it's coming from somewhere deep now, like the lungs, not sure. I cough soooo hard that my lower back HURTS. I even wondered if it's kidney pain I was/am feeling.

A week ago, out of the blue, I woke up with the most severe throat pain of my life. So I went to a walk- in- clinic. They gave me antibiotics (amoxicilin) and did a Strep test.

My question is: I just got the Strep test results -positive. The walk-in clinic is closed until Wednesday, there's no one to tell me what the result means. Today I am feeling kinda sick again, with sore throat pain coming back. So what does Strep positive means???? What could be the complications or problems from it? How is it treated?

wow, thanks for the sarcasm. Of course I have researched Strep on all websites I could think of. But I appreciate the answers from actual RNs or doctors, who answer my SPECIFIC question...

Answer 1

I am not qualified to answer this question as I am not a medical professional.
It sounds to me you've done all the right things.
I will say a prayer that the problem is minor and can be trieated quickly.
Good luck and God bless.

Answer 2

Have you considered typing a few words into a Search window? It's Sunday morning and most Doctors are either at work, asleep or hitting golf balls. Nurses are working or sleeping as well.

The Internet is a wonderful tool to do the research you are trying to do here. I don't think I would trust an answer about a health question if it were derived from this site. I mean no offense, and most people are reasonably honest but you have the trolls and other malcontents throwing random nonsense around. Then their are the wonderful people who are trying to help but are simply incorrect.

I can speak from personal experience. I have diabetes and am quite knowledgeable about the subject. I spend time in the diabetes section of Answers and have found absolutely wrong, to the extent of being dangerous, information. I want to scream at the person asking the question to "SEE A DOCTOR, DON'T LISTEN TO THESE FOOLS". So please, either have patience and wait until Wednesday or do some independent research. Medical information abounds on the web.

BTW, are you taking any prescription drugs at the moment. I have one I take that warns of a possible side effect. It can cause a "Dry Cough". I spend 2 or 3 spells of 2 to 3 weeks each every year coughing so heard that, like you, my back hurts from all the muscle contractions.

Good luck, I hope you get to feeling better.

Answer 3

Infections caused by the bacteria streptococcus are represented especially by irritation and inflammation of the back throat and tonsils. The symptoms occur sudden and are represented by fever and severe throat pains. Sore throats can be triggered by group C and G streptococci but most commonly the infection is due to the presence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

The main symptoms of the streptococcus infection causing a sore throat are fever usually more than 38.5, difficulties and pain during swallowing, inflamed lymph nodes and inflamed and irritated tonsils with presence of white or yellow points on their surface. Less common, the streptococcus infections can produce headaches and abdominal pain as well as rare cases of skin rash, vomiting and lack of appetite. Most of the streptococcus conditions are accompanied by a general feeling of illness and discomfort.

The time period between contacting the bacteria and developing the symptoms is usually of 2-5 days and is called incubation period. Patients that have been exposed to streptococcus are considered contagious and can spread the infection to others if they show specific symptoms or have not started an antibiotic therapy yet. Also some of the persons without clinical manifestations can spread the bacteria. In 24 to 48 hours after you have started the medication with antibiotics, you are no longer considered contagious; contacts that do not seek medical help remain contagious for about 2-3 weeks even if the symptoms disappear.

In spite of the cases when the rapid streptococcus test is positive, the most common cause of sore throats is viral infections especially with Influenza. Strep infections do not trigger symptoms like coughs, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, signs usually connected to different types of colds. If the mentioned symptoms are present, it is more likely for you to suffer from an Influenza infection than from a streptococcus triggered sore throat.

There are several practical methods to detect streptococcus and be able to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Most useful identification methods are the rapid test, the physical examination and the medical history of the patient. The presence of streptococcus detected through the rapid test can be confirmed by the most accurate but longer lasting bacterial culture.

Sore throats caused by streptococcus usually go away in 3-7 days with or without medical care and ant biotherapy. Antibiotics do not influence the curing period very much but are administered to kill the bacteria and prevent contagiousness and further complications. For benefic effects, antibiotics must be administered within the first 2-3 days after the symptoms have occurred.

Symptomatic treatments for fever, pains and discomfort, are also non-pharmaceutical products, especially homeopathic ones.

Nurse

Answer 4

The strep explains why you are feeling so miserable. It takes a lot out of you. The only treatment is antibiotics so you are doing what you should be doing. Take them until they are gone. Untreated strep can cause serious heart and kidney problems. Try using some chloraseptic for your throat pain. It can ease the pain. Also try gargling your throat several times a day with a warm salt water mixture.

Answer 5

Positive sterp test means..you got strep.

Answer 6

Well sorry to say but sounds like lung cancer to me. Before my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer she coughed for like 2-3 months. She never smoked so I don't think it matters if you did either but i'm going to say lung cancer you shoud have it checked out. Sorry.=[

Answer 7

Liver failure?