Persistent Sore Throat - 3 weeks+

[kerry76]

I know I should be seeing a Dr for this but since I have a high deductible on my health insurance I wanted to post here first to see what thoughts you all might have before I make a return visit.  I went ot the Dr about 3 weeks ago due to a severe sore throat and low grade fever, he did a step test and it came back negative but due to the redness and the tenderness/swollen glands he gave me a Z-Pack of Antibiotics.  Within 24 hrs the sore throat weakened and I was feeling much better. Then, the following day it came back and it has been back everyday since then for the last 3 weeks.  It hursts to swallow, there is a sharp pain on one side of my neck and it switches every few days, today it's on the left.  Every few days I have some congestion, I blow my nose but only clear mucus comes out, I generally feel week and tired but I'm able to go to work.  

What could this be???  Obviously it must be viral since the antibiotic didn't work but I don't know what I should do to get it to go away.  Could it be allergies? Everything I hear about allergies tho are itchy throat not sore throat - sometimes it hurts to bad I don't even want to swallow.  It gets worse mid-afternoon and evening. I've gotten my air vents cleaned today to see if that will help for allergies and I picked up Zyrtec to try that as well.....

Any suggestions on what it could be or should I just suck it up and go back to the clinic???!!!!

Thanks!

[National Jewish Health]

Two possibilities:  1) the infectious agent was not bacterial but was viral; or 2) the infectious agent was bacterial but resistant to the Z-pack.  What you describe is worrisome because of the risk of what you have being a sore throat caused by a bacterium that, if untreated can result in dangerous complications, such as spread to the tissues of the neck.

On the other hand, this could be infectious mononucleosis.

Sorry, I understand your insurance problem, but the bottom line is that you should definitely go back for a reevaluation that should include a white blood cell count, a full throat culture rather than a strep culture that can be falsely negative, and testing for Mono.

Good luck.