I think I might have strep throat...am I contagious?I've been feeling crummy since last Thursday. At first, I thought it was just seasonal allergies, but then on Saturday I came down with a fever that got up to 103. I spent the whole weekend and Monday in bed with a fever, chills, sore throat, headache and lots of drainage, but no traditional cold stuff like runny nose, sneezing, etc.
I get up this morning, no fever, and feeling better. I decide to suck it up and go to work because I don't have anymore sick leave. And at lunch time I discover that I can see white patches all over my tonsils. Don't know if this is a new development or if its been there during the duration of the illness. Throat still hurts like heck, painful to swallow, but no fever anymore.
I talk to a nurse on the helpline for my healthcare and she says it sounds like strep, but I can't get in to the doctor until tomorrow afternoon.
My question is.....should I go to work tomorrow? I work with kids (who probably gave it to me in the first place!). I don't have a fever anymore and I feel lousy but not enough to call in to use another sick day I don't have. Even if I do have strep, is it as contagious if you don't have a fever? Or if it isn't Strep....would whatever I have still be contagious without a fever?
amwhunter05
All of the symptoms you just described are almost pin-point on with Strep Throat. You're nurse was right!!
I suggest not going to work tomorrow because you are contagious for as long as you have the symptoms. However, when the doctor gives you an antibiotic for it, you will still be contagious 24 hours after your first dose. After that, your immune system will start fighting back and you wont be contagious.
Good Luck!! Hope all goes well!!
Melani
Well the symptoms of strep throat are fever of 101 or higher, white or yellow coating on the tonsils, swollen glands in the neck, sore throat, stuffy nose, cough. And it looks like you might have it, but I don't think it's contagious. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics and drink lots of fluids, gargle with warm salt water to reduce swelling and discomfort. If it lasts more than 2 weeks, go back to the doctor. Hope you get better. Maybe you should rest for a day before going back to work. :)
Petron
Everyone that tell you you have a strep throat have no idea what they are talking about. About 2 DECADES back, they did a study where they asked the most experience doctors they could find and asked them to examine a patient to see if they have strep throat. They compared that to how the actual test result for strep throat..the "gold standard" being the throat culture.
Result: 50:50. 50 percent of the time, the doctors thought it was strep and it wasn't, 50 percent they said it wasn't and it was.
As for being contagious, yes you are. Strep throat is contagious as well as mono that people often confused with strep throat. Both are contagious with direct contact such as kissing. Causual contact is probably okay.
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Links to information about tonsillitis , including tonsillectomy.
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