Can I still have sore throat even after testing negative for streptococcus?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for the query.

I understand your concern.

According to your statement, you have throat redness and postnasal drip. You had a history of sore throat.

Sore throat, throat redness, and postnasal drip may result from any infection such as viral infections like infectious mononucleosis, fungal infections like oral thrush or bacterial infections, allergies, common colds, flu, smoke or irritants, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and many more.

As you still have the complaint after completing antibiotics, your present sufferings may be viral or of fungal origin.

Viral infection could be the possible cause of your throat redness, postnasal drip, and sore throat. Mononucleosis is a viral infection that develops a persistent sore throat, throat redness, and postnasal drip.

The clinical features of mononucleosis are sore throat, throat redness, postnasal drip, swollen tonsils, fever, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, headache, and enlarged spleen. The sore throat is commonly misdiagnosed as streptococcus infection and does not get better after treatment with an entire course of antibiotics like yours.

I suggest you take a throat swab for a monospot test, CBC (complete blood count), and peripheral blood film to confirm the diagnosis of mononucleosis.

There is no specific medication available for treating infectious mononucleosis. You should take adequate rest, drink plenty of fluids and fruit juices, do salt water gargling, and take a pain reliever to subside your present sufferings.

It may take time for a full recovery. Stay calm and be patient with your body as it combats the infection. It can take two to four weeks to get better. In some cases, it may take few months.

Take care.