Is it a virus or infection?

[Nancy5851]

I have a 14 yr. old son who has been suffering with a sore throat and nasal gongestion for the past 3 weeks.  He was initially diagnosed with flu like symptoms and put on Z-Pac in the event a secondary infection were to arise. He felt better and was back in school for a week.  The following week he developed a severe sore throat and had a very high fever.  The Dr. tested him for flu and strep throat-both negative.  He was put on 2,000mg. Amoxicillian per day for 10 days.  He started feeling better and is now back to a severe sore throat and nasal congestion that is colored bright yellow/gold and sometimes brown.  He has also been tested for Mono, that came back negative as well.  He is not currently running a fever. I called the Dr.'s office and the nurse said there is a virus that is very hard to get rid of.  I am very frustrated as well as my son.  Any answers?

[Victoireh]

I'm really surprised that your doctor prescribed antibiotics initially for "flu like symptoms". That would never have happened at my doctor's office. You have to be demonstrating symptoms of infection. This is how bacterial resistance to common antibiotics arises. Bad practice on your doc's part. If it is viral, there is absolutely nothing you can do for it. I remember years ago getting a flu, where I had high fever for almost two weeks and then it still took another month to recover the strength. Signs of bacterial infection include green mucous/expectorant along with the usual high fever.

Going back to his nasal congestion, he might very well be infected in his sinuses. Your doctor can collect a sample and test it for the common bacteria that generally reside in your sinuses. I have had many experiences with sinus/chest infections as I have asthma and chronic sinusitis. Try doing salt water irrigations of his sinuses. It is a gross procedure but helps to clean the excess mucous out from his sinuses and throat area. Use 1/2 tsp of salt with 1/2 tsp of baking soda in a cup of water. You can either put your nose in the cup and suck it up, till it runs to the back of the throat, then spit it out. Or try using a 60 ml syringe or a netti pot to help spray it up the sinuses.

Hope this helps