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Step 1
Take your temperature. If you have strep, your temperature will be 100 degrees F or higher.
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Step 2
Examine your throat. Get a bright flashlight or bendable-arm lamp. Position your face in front of a mirror. Shine the light onto the back of your throat.
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Step 3
Look for severe redness or red patches near and on your tonsils and the roof of your mouth, a possible sign of strep throat.
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Step 4
Look for white spots or pus patches inside your mouth, as well as a white furry coating on your tongue--other possible signs of strep.
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Step 5
Assess your ability to swallow. When you take a sip of water, do you have to gulp it past your throat? Does the liquid feel like it's getting stuck in your throat? This means your throat is swollen, due to inflammation, and is another possible indication of strep throat.
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Step 6
Cup your hand over your mouth, exhale deeply and smell your breath. If it smells bad, this is another indication of strep throat.
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Step 7
Feel the glands that lie where the back of your jaw line meets the top of your neck. If you feel lumps, your lymph glands are swollen--yet another possible sign of strep throat.
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Step 8
Check your body for signs of rash. If you have a high fever, severe sore throat and a rash, you may have a strep throat that has advanced to scarlet fever.
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Step 9
Ask your doctor for a throat culture. This is the surest way to know if you have strep throat.
Comments
hannaromo said
on 15/04/2009 I am currently living and working on a nature reserve in South Africa and dont have access to medical facilities unless it is an emergency. I awoke this morning with a terrible sore throat and difficulty swallowing. There are some white splotches on the back of my throat, but I dont seem to have a fever (also dont have a way to check though). If I can confirm that I have strep, I will take antibiotics, but otherwise I will have to wait it out until it becomes 'serious'. Any suggestions?
raoena said
on 14/04/2009 enfinity08, you need to be persistent. If you can't see a different doctor, call your Dr. on the phone or make an appointment. Explain that you're concerned about side effects and discomfort from the antibiotics, and only want to take them if you're completely sure it is necessary. Say that you would like a throat culture done to verify that it is strep. Be calm, polite and firm. You can also use humor to defuse your Dr.'s resistance. For example, smilingly tell him, 'hey, doc, don't get me wrong, I just want a second opinion before I have to get a bunch more shots!" Doctors are trained to respect the 'second opinion' so if you present the lab culture in that light, your Dr. may be more inclined to agree. Don't give up! A throat culture is the appropriate diagnostic method. Dr.s who use them will tell you that they've been fooled by strep that didn't look like strep, and also by sor
enfinity08 said
on 10/04/2009 My doctor diagnosed me as having strep a couple of months ago.I didn't show any signs other than his visual diagnosis.My sister was once told by her kids' pediatrician that a dr. should never visually diagnose throat infections, but always culture them.Before I was told this, I had already agreed to getting 1 shot a week for three weeks of a broadspectrum antibiotic.The first time, he told me it would only be one shot and it was a 4th generation med and would kick the strep out.Three weeks/shots later, I asked for a culture and he refused and dropped the subject.When I went back today and complained of swollen glands and a chocking sensation, he againd diagnosed strep and wanted to give me a shot and once again I wanted a culture first.He refused, so I refused.What do I do?
enjoyHeyo said
on 27/01/2008 Very Helpful.
enjoyHeyo said
on 27/01/2008 very helpful!