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Augmentin for Strep Throat

Hello,

I had a sore throat with swollen lymph nodes and I found out I had some sort of strep beta-hemolytic bacterial infection that isn't group A, C, or G. Due to a recent oral sex encounter, I got tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia in the throat. Those swabs were done with the Aptima Combo 2 Assay and came back negative. I took azithromycin and rocephin injection as a precaution (before the swab results came back), and am currently taking Augmentin to get rid of the strep. I was feeling fine and healed until yesterday when my throat started to hurt again. I changed my toothbrush about 5 days into the antibiotic treatment and the next day it was hurting again. Is Augmentin good enough to treat this? Could it be coming back for some reason? It is hurting the same way it was before I took the antibiotics, as if I was re-infected. Any ideas would help, thanks.
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4851940 tn?1515694593
If you got the rash while taking the amoxicillin, then you should stop taking it immediately.

If you already had the rash before taking the amoxicillin then carry on with it.

But as you have only one pill left, it will be neither here or there now.  But as the rash has spread, I wouldn't bother taking that last tablet.  If you can, get some antihistamine medication from the pharmacist if you can't get to see your doctor over the weekend.

Sorry - I see what you mean, that's the trouble when I get interruptions when writing messages, plus my brain says the wrong things sometimes.
Glad you did realise what I meant.

When your doctor is back, make an appointment with him again and ask him to if he could take a blood test for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In the meantime, do steam inhalations as I advised in one of my previous messages.  It will help to relieve the pressure and discomfort in your ear, this is due to congestion in the Eustachian tube.  You can also try holding your nose and blowing and see if that helps or you feel crackling and popping in your ear.

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Don't you mean, if yes then carry on and if no then stop? I didn't have this before I started taking the amoxicillin, so I should stop it? I have one pill left, do I just not take it? My ear also still feels so full and my right lymph node is not going down in swelling and that pressure feeling. The rash has spread to my feet and back and it's not really itching.

Thanks.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
If you have developed this rash since you have been taking the amoxicillin, then it is highly likely that the rash is a side effect of the amoxicillin.

If that is the case, then you should stop taking the amoxicillin.
Make a note of that so you remember that you have got a side effect from the amoxicillin and tell your doctor before he prescribes any medication to you that you have an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin so that he can prescribe a different medication.

The big question is "Did you have this rash before you started to take the amoxicillin?" If no, then carry on with it.

If yes, then you must stop taking it. immediately.

Both my son and my husband are allergic to amoxicillin.
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Avatar universal
One more thing: I just developed a minor rash, it is red, not itchy or rough, it doesn't even have a noticeable texture. I read online that amoxicillin can cause this but it usually starts on the torso. I don't have anything on my torso, just on my chest, face, arms and legs. What do I do? My doctor isn't available over weekends :/

Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
In that case, have a drink made with hot water with fresh lemon and honey.  This is very soothing.

wishing you a speedy recovery.
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Avatar universal
Thanks a lot, I will see what I can do and hope the pain goes away! I have no white spots or inflammation in my throat so I think the bacteria is gone, it might just be some irritation.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
With the pain shooting up on the right side up to your ear and neck, could be that you have congestion in the Eustachian tube which is causing the pressure and discomfort (pain).  This is the tube that leads from the ear to the throat, you may see a little hole by the side of your tonsils, that is the Eustachian tube which drains away any mucus from the sinuses.

If you have finished the antibiotic, it would be a good idea to get a swab taken again to make sure that the bacteria was successfully treated with the course of antibiotics.  It may be that the course of antibiotics was not sufficient to kill all the bacteria.

To help unblock your Eustachian tube, do the steam inhalations.  I was advised by my doctor to do this 4 times a day for a duration of 10 minutes each time.

Best wishes.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for the advice. I did get a swab before and it said I had some sort of strep non A, C, or G group related. The pain is only on the right side and shoots up to my ear and neck. Is it possible it came back even while on antibiotics? The augmentin should kill it, which is why I was prescribed that.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Although Augmentin kills certain types of bacteria and is used for lower respiratory, ear, urinary and sinus bacterial infections, does not necessarily mean it will get help a sore throat.

To find out what type of bacteria is causing the sore throat and which antibiotic will kill that bacteria is to get a swab taken of your throat to identify the bacteria and then the correct antibiotic will be prescribed.

Should the swab results come back showing that there is no bacteria present, and that it is a viral problem, then no antibiotic will treat viral infections.

When using antibiotics, you can get fungal problems in the mouth and throat and in the genitals, and again this would be confirmed by a swab.  Sometimes the doctor can identify a fungal problem in the mouth by looking at your tongue and throat. Fungal problems in the mouth are treated with antifungal gels for oral use like Dartarin.  Eating natural yogurt will also help.

Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids and warm drinks, use pain relief medication as prescribed to relieve any pain.  Gargling with salty water will also help.  You can also purchase sprays from the pharmacist to numb the soreness in the throat.  Also antiseptic throat lozenges will also help to ease the discomfort and another good drink is hot water with fresh lemon and honey which is very soothing.

If you have any congestion, you can also do steam inhalations.  A bowl of hot water with Vick or Olbas oil and lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and bowl and breathe in the steam.  Take care not to get scalded.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Helpful - 0
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