Resolved question:
Hello,
Last week Thursday I became ill, fever, sore throat, sore neck arms and legs. I went to a local walkin where I was told I had the flu however they didn't test me. The dr did do a strep test which came back negative. I was prescribed tamiflu. After 2 days my symptoms remained the same but I felt worse and my uvula had become so swollen that I was actually swallowing it when I would swallow. My head was "plugged" up, ears were full and couldn't hear very well, so I went to my normal dr and he concluded that I had an infection of some kind in my left ear and uvilitis. My ears were full of pus and he said it was the worst he had seen. I was put on augmentin 1000 mg and ear drops. (Started on augmentin Sunday 2/16) As of yesterday my ears have "popped" and I can hear better and the uvula is back to normal. However today I received a call from a nurse at the first walkin I went to (7days ago) and she told me that my strep cultur had grown and was positive for strep B and if I wasn't feeling better they could prescribe me an antibiotic. I told her I was now on augmentin and feeling a bit better. After reading about strep b I have some concerns, I have had a headache all day that has switched from the front left part of my head to the front right, diarrhea, nausea, earache in right ear and chills. Just a generally not right feeling. My question is should I be seen again by my dr with the news of the positive strep B? Will augmentin take care of this? In the article I read it talked about strep b and meningitis and now I'm worried that the beginning of my sickness with the neck pain could've been or still is meningitis?? Thank you for any help
Melissa
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Hello Melissa,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
I have gone through your medical history and some of your concerns are indeed valid. I assume you are still on Augmentin 8th day. Augmentin is an excellent antibiotic choice for Group A Streptococcal Infections. (Beta Haemolytic Step). But in some cases (in 10%) it might not work as well we expect.
You currently have headache, diarrhoea, nausea, earache in right ear and chills. - This is bit uncommon on the 8th day of antibiotic. You should be having better resolution by now. The diarrhoea could be due to the antibiotic (side effect). The symptoms are not specific of meningitis, so you need not worry about that at this stage. However ear infections have a added risk for meningitis, so it is better to keep the risk in mind.
You will need a minimum 10 days course of Augmentin. It is better if you review with your Doctor for two reasons - (1) The ear infection could cause damage to your Tympanic Membrane. An ear examination is must to rule out any break in the membrane. (2) Your Doctor will be able to asses the resolution and if it is not satisfactory you may require another antibiotic (a Cephalosporine ).
There is nothing to worry. Strep is a common infection that can be easily treated. Just be bit cautious since the symptoms are persisting after a week.
For now you can take a pain medication like Tylenol three times a day. Steam inhalation can ease up the blocked ear.
I will keep this consult open so that you can get back to me anytime.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you