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Should I get a second opinion?
For five days now I've had an extremely sore throat with mouth and tongue pain, redness and swelling of the tonsils and throat, and two tiny white spots on both sides of my tonsils. I went to a walk in clinic this morning where I got an ARNP (nurse practitioner) that flashed a light in my mouth for maybe all of 2 seconds, did a swab, and then sent me back to the waiting room.
Step test came back negative...but then he put me on a high dose antibiotic that he said would also treat Strep "in case" the test was wrong and he said Strep was going around.
I'm not sure why, but I just feel like he overlooked something. I've never had a sore throat this bad with pain also on the inside of my mouth and back of the tongue.
I saw those two white spots before AND after the doctor appointment today, but he said he didn't see them...
Should I just wait it out a few days and see what happens or should I call my primary care physician tomorrow?
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You definitely must see another doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Nurse practitioners can help with some things but have a limited amount of knowledge and skills and cannot diagnose anything. A doctor can and should. I had a nurse practioner tell me what turned out to be a serious potentially deadly issue was something benign when a second opinion told us I needed surgery. So, definitely see someone else especially if your gut tells you something is wrong here or overlooked.
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If you fel strongly that a second opinion would help then arranage one. I would point out that antibiotics are normally given as a course, one or maybe two weeks and the doses can be high (big tablets!). It's essential that you do finish the course, even if you feel fine before you've reach the end of the tablets. And that they have no palliative or pain-killing propeties whatsoever so they won't ease the discomfort one bit. They are to zap the bacterial infection. The pain should ease as you approach the end however, since the cause should be under control. If you're about at the end and it's no better, or worse even, then most definitely make a follow-up appointment or visit another physician and show him/her the package of the drugs you have been taking. Sore throats can be minor niggling discomfort or very painful indeed.
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Hiya! Dr.D here!
Sore throat can be irritating. But you think it could be more you say? hmm.... I can think of a few sicknesses and diseases. But you only show the signs of a regular sore throat. But, if you want to get rid of it, or at least take off some of the pain, I suggest you get a sore throat cough drop called Cepacol. You'll find these in like Walmart, or maybe CVS. They are extra strength sore throat relievers that can take the pain away for about two hours. Its also helping to kill off the sore throat, so I say. Go buy a pack of Cepacol, I suggest the flavor honey lemon(they don't taste that good, but this is probably the closest to good taste and strength).
I hope I helped! And trust me these do work. If they don't work or relieve any pain I suggest you talk to your doctor. Have a good day! And I hope you get better soon! :-]
-Dr.D
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I'm not a doctor though I'm fairly certain a strep culture takes more than a few minutes to develop usually 24 hours to get the results. Still I believe the diagnoses is correct that you have a strep infection.
If you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with the diagnosis then you should get a second opinion. If you do not have a family doctor you can go to a hospital emergency room and ask to see a doctor not a nurse practioner or another clinic staffed by doctors.
I'm sure there are many good nurse practioner out there. My nephew is a nurse practioner. Still my insurance company pays for me to see doctors so I have a family doctor and I make my appointments with her not the nurse practioner that shares her office.
If you don't have a family doctor I suggest you find one. These walk in clinics are good for emergencies as they take the load of hospital emergency rooms. Still a family doctor who see's you regularly will know you best and know how to treat you best.
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