Strep vs. Mono

V

Vishnu

New member
I am curious are you going to do bay leaf tea after it steeps 20 minutes every 6 hours to see if you can prevent future problems?
 
I've had a sore throat and earache since Tuesday, so yesterday I went to the health office at my school, and they said that I probably have strep (I have a sore throat, super swollen tonsils with white spots, a "streppy smell" as stated by the PA at the health office and fluid in my ears)...so they gave me a Z-pack...but if I don't have strep, it could be mono because I have the right lymph nodes swollen for that. They wanted me to go back to the health office today so they can check on if I'm better or not...and if I'm not, they said they'd want to do a blood draw and test for mono which I better not have because that's really bad when it comes to the whole being a full time student thing...

Ugh.

So I went back today...I just got back from the health office, and even though my throat feels so much better (and my tonsils aren't nearly as swollen and have no pus), they want me to come back Monday because my lymph nodes are still really swollen, and if they are still then, they'll test for mono...I really don't think that's likely at all though. I don't share drinks (though I did once last week...but doesn't mono take longer than that to start showing symptoms?), I haven't kissed anyone in about a year, don't share chapstick etc...and literally the only signs/symptoms I have are a sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. No fatigue, no headaches, no achiness, no stomach pain...

So this weekend, all I'm allowed to do is well...nothing. They said that I'm on "mono precautions" which means I can't drink (not that I do anyway), can't go to the gym, can't go out (clubbing) etc. Basically, I can sit around and study, sleep and watch movies...fun :(

How likely is it that I have mono? Are mono and strep often confused with each other in the beginning?
 
Strep and Mono go hand in hand. My oldest son was diagnosed with mono when they first thought it was strept. They had to wait 24 hours after he was on antibiotics to do the mono test. Yep, positive.

You can get mono by just walking past someone who has it and coughs or sneezes. You don't have to share lips or straws . You can get it from just walking too close to someone who does.

Here's hoping you skate past this one!
 
Given that you are feeling better on antibiotics, I think its unlikely you will have mono - they are just being cautious.

Mono makes you feel toxic - aches all over, like a bad dose of flu, as well as a sore throat that isnt hellped by antibiotics.

Chances are you have either sptep or a viral sore throat. Take it easy, use tylenol for headache, sore throat and aches and pains, and get some extra vitamin c into you, and likely you will be 100% come monday.
 
Hi there one more thing ... in the past strep was often found in milk maybe those who have difficulties could use a substite rice milk, nut milk or other type of milk variation is usually good.
 
Hi there! for some people a quick check to see if it was bacterial versus viral was to do the slobber test. (of course this test has its pitfalls and can be misleading) In general if a person had a sore throat they can slobber a bit with the saliva with as few bubbles as possible by letting the saliva gather in the mouth and letting it fall into a sink where cloudyness can be observed over a chrome silver part. If it was clear it tended to be a viral cold if it was cloudy a bacterial infection. For some people this test seemed to be fairly accurate. Since you have had an antibiotic from the sounds of it it is probably late to do this test with any accuracy at all because if it is bacterial the antibiotic is already doing its work since you feel better. The bacteria are said to be unable to infect the public in 24 hours after starting the antibiotic according to past thinking. However nowdays bacteria can be stronger and meaner so I would make sure that if an antibiotic is started that a dose is not missed or skipped and that all the prescribed days are taken as ordered by the health office. So the mono test is definately in order in my opinion. Some people enjoy bay leaf tea for viral infections and a nice warm normal saline rinse of nose and throat for both viral and bacterial infections.
 
My mucus was yellowish lately...I noticed that before I went to the health office. The z-pack is a 5 day antibiotic, and today is day 2. I'll be taking the second dose soon -- you take it once a day and I got it prescribed yesterday.
 
Ok thats good I would not do any sweets during this time since sweets help bacteria grow and other pathogens such as candida albicans have a nice day. :wave:
 
I'm just really worried about having mono...I've done some research, and I see that strep and mono do sometimes go hand in hand...so maybe I'm feeling better because the strep is going away, but I have mono as well...and that would be a major problem! If I have mono/can't do school, I'm screwed! Screwed as in I'll be behind an entire year if I can't finish out this semester and move on to the next one in January...
 
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