Is there a doctor in the house?
- Thread starter ryanhayes9
- Start date
elfdoctors
Active Member
Hi Bang Guy! - Scarlet Fever is not the same as Rheumatic Fever. Scarlet fever is the typical rash whenever the skin is affected by strep (and was even described by Hippocrates). I treat scarlet fever with antibiotics as it is a sign of a generalized infection (rather than a simple localized tonsillitis). However, complete recovery is the rule for this disease. Many people with confirmed rheumatic fever used to get permanent scarring of their heart valves.
Tonsillectomy is another procedure which has thankfully dramatically waned in popularity. Tonsils and Adenoids are a NORMAL part of your Immune system. They are supposed to get inflamed as it is their job to filter materials entering the body either from the mouth (tonsils) or the nose (adenoids). The tonsils allow your immune system to get a jump start on dealing with infections before they can get a foothold inside deeper organs. They also reach their maximum size between ages 6-10 and then gradually shrink up - so problems with them are generally temporary. You are less likely to get pneumonia and other deep infections with normal tonsils. IMO, people should really try to keep your tonsils. (Of course, if you talk to an ENT doctor, they still think it is a good (and quite profitable) procedure).
Hi Darknes! - I stopped playing Astrowars this past summer after my mother died. My family was down in your area of Nebraska late this past summer. My tank is doing great. I haven't had a fish die in 20 months except for a clown fish who went carpet surfing (just as it was nearing sexual maturity).
Thanks for the compliment ophiura! I always enjoyed your posts here. My blue linckia has now survived 21 months so I think I am caring for it correctly.
Tonsillectomy is another procedure which has thankfully dramatically waned in popularity. Tonsils and Adenoids are a NORMAL part of your Immune system. They are supposed to get inflamed as it is their job to filter materials entering the body either from the mouth (tonsils) or the nose (adenoids). The tonsils allow your immune system to get a jump start on dealing with infections before they can get a foothold inside deeper organs. They also reach their maximum size between ages 6-10 and then gradually shrink up - so problems with them are generally temporary. You are less likely to get pneumonia and other deep infections with normal tonsils. IMO, people should really try to keep your tonsils. (Of course, if you talk to an ENT doctor, they still think it is a good (and quite profitable) procedure).
Hi Darknes! - I stopped playing Astrowars this past summer after my mother died. My family was down in your area of Nebraska late this past summer. My tank is doing great. I haven't had a fish die in 20 months except for a clown fish who went carpet surfing (just as it was nearing sexual maturity).
Thanks for the compliment ophiura! I always enjoyed your posts here. My blue linckia has now survived 21 months so I think I am caring for it correctly.
ophiura
Active Member
So Ryan's bug...a really bad sore throat went around work recently. This is what I had, and what the doctor went for. I have always been wary of getting antibiotics, and was here...So doctor's, were they right or wrong? :thinking:
Sat, Dec 30 - severe aches, general feeling of "getting a cold"
Sun, Dec 31 - touch of a sore throat, but still, general "getting a cold"
Mon, Jan 1 - getting bad sore throat. Getting a bit of sinus pressure but not "stuffiness" but ears feeling pressure. Late that night, INTENSE pain in my left ear, lots of noise/popping, and some blood
Tues, Jan 2 - Bad sore throat, ear completely blocked - see nurse practitioner at doc office ASAP (I don't like docs, and I don't have a regular one...so). Says it is the "thing going around" and lots of drainage, lots of fluid in ears with bad infection in left. I get some nasal spray (I already take nasacort/astelin and it was one of those), a steroid shot (if I recall), Mucinex, and an antibiotic, only (she is clear) because of the ear.
Wed - following Sunday - lose my voice almost completely. TERRIBLY sore throat, ear stays clogged awhile (and has yellowish goo
Goes away, but I am left with lingering bad cough, which goes away when I sleep
Last week, get a much worse cough, keeping me up. Fever, loads of sinus pressure, stuffiness, general "sick"...go back to doctor (cause I'm really getting tired of it). Get some sort of tussin with hydrocodone (helps me sleep, finally, but really makes me sick to my stomach!), and another round of antibiotics. I was especially suspicious of this second round of antibiotics....the cough meds have finally worked
YOU make the call!
oceanists
Active Member
Originally Posted by elfdoctors
I'm a family physician with over 15 years experience. I also serve on our county's Board of Health. I haven't been very active on these boards for a while.
IMO, antibiotics should NOT have been prescribed for a non-streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis. IMO, this is an indication that your doctor would rather do the convenient rather than the correct action. It can take a long time to convince people that they will get better in 48 hours with the antibiotics or in 2 days without. Too many doctors find it is easier to just prescribe. However, there is good evidence to suggest that antibiotics are much more likely to be harmful (drug allergies, antibiotic associated diarrheas, yeast infections, decreased birth control pill effectiveness, antibiotic overuse) than to have any benefit for this disease.
In addition, it is now being discussed whether strep throat even needs antibiotics. Strep usually gets better on its own in about 5 days. Antibiotics will shorten the duration of the illness if given within the first 2 (maybe 3) days. The primary reason that antibiotics were so strongly recommended in the past was to try to prevent the most feared complication of strep throat - rheumatic fever. However, the strains of strep which caused rheumatic fever have been largely eradicated. There has not been a large epidemic of Rheumatic Fever since 1980. There are other complications from strep (particularly glomerulonephritis and abscesses) but antibiotics have only a minimal role in the prevention of these. As a result, physicians who are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics are now starting to discuss NOT using antibiotics.
Such concerned physicians already have learned to not prescribe antibiotics for most cases of bronchitis (particularly under a week's duration). Most physicians are now adopting recommendations to not use antibiotics for children with ear infections (unless the child has a fever >102F). I predict that strep is next. (This assumes that the patient has been vaccinated. Vaccines now prevent the great majority of serious infections for young people). I try to follow these recommendations and only modify them for people with serious underlying diseases (particularly diabetes and poorly controlled asthma).
BTW, Influenza is one of the few bacterial infections for which antibiotics (tamiflu, relenza or amantidine) are effective to shorten the duration of the illness. However, these should primarily only be used for the sickest people.
Strep is most common in the 6-10 year age group (at which time ~50% of sore throats are strep). By the time people get to age 30, only ~15% of sore throats will be caused by strep. I usually educate my young patients' parents that if their child has a sore throat, they can call up and ask for an order for a rapid strep screen. If it is negative, they don't need to have an office call. I also strongly educate them to avoid ANY exposure to tobacco (even from clothing from parents who allegedly smoke outside).
I hope this has helped.
Excellent post. And respectfully done ... Catawaba if you dissagree with another persons opinion it can be done respectfully and people wont have to retaliate because they feel their information is not valid
And thank you for clearing up that there IS an antibiotic for the flu. BTW would you agree that the majority of flu cases if left unattended more often than not will lead to sinus infection something that should not be left untreated because of the likeliness it would spread to the brain and kill the patient?
I'm a family physician with over 15 years experience. I also serve on our county's Board of Health. I haven't been very active on these boards for a while.
IMO, antibiotics should NOT have been prescribed for a non-streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis. IMO, this is an indication that your doctor would rather do the convenient rather than the correct action. It can take a long time to convince people that they will get better in 48 hours with the antibiotics or in 2 days without. Too many doctors find it is easier to just prescribe. However, there is good evidence to suggest that antibiotics are much more likely to be harmful (drug allergies, antibiotic associated diarrheas, yeast infections, decreased birth control pill effectiveness, antibiotic overuse) than to have any benefit for this disease.
In addition, it is now being discussed whether strep throat even needs antibiotics. Strep usually gets better on its own in about 5 days. Antibiotics will shorten the duration of the illness if given within the first 2 (maybe 3) days. The primary reason that antibiotics were so strongly recommended in the past was to try to prevent the most feared complication of strep throat - rheumatic fever. However, the strains of strep which caused rheumatic fever have been largely eradicated. There has not been a large epidemic of Rheumatic Fever since 1980. There are other complications from strep (particularly glomerulonephritis and abscesses) but antibiotics have only a minimal role in the prevention of these. As a result, physicians who are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics are now starting to discuss NOT using antibiotics.
Such concerned physicians already have learned to not prescribe antibiotics for most cases of bronchitis (particularly under a week's duration). Most physicians are now adopting recommendations to not use antibiotics for children with ear infections (unless the child has a fever >102F). I predict that strep is next. (This assumes that the patient has been vaccinated. Vaccines now prevent the great majority of serious infections for young people). I try to follow these recommendations and only modify them for people with serious underlying diseases (particularly diabetes and poorly controlled asthma).
BTW, Influenza is one of the few bacterial infections for which antibiotics (tamiflu, relenza or amantidine) are effective to shorten the duration of the illness. However, these should primarily only be used for the sickest people.
Strep is most common in the 6-10 year age group (at which time ~50% of sore throats are strep). By the time people get to age 30, only ~15% of sore throats will be caused by strep. I usually educate my young patients' parents that if their child has a sore throat, they can call up and ask for an order for a rapid strep screen. If it is negative, they don't need to have an office call. I also strongly educate them to avoid ANY exposure to tobacco (even from clothing from parents who allegedly smoke outside).
I hope this has helped.
Excellent post. And respectfully done ... Catawaba if you dissagree with another persons opinion it can be done respectfully and people wont have to retaliate because they feel their information is not valid
And thank you for clearing up that there IS an antibiotic for the flu. BTW would you agree that the majority of flu cases if left unattended more often than not will lead to sinus infection something that should not be left untreated because of the likeliness it would spread to the brain and kill the patient?
oceanists
Active Member
Originally Posted by bayside
so you feel that because you live in a major city on a coast that your opinions are better than any that would not be. this is what is so annoying about our country. people who live on the coasts feel that everything they have and say are so much better than any other place in the country. we out here in the middle of nowhere are just fly over country right?
hey you all keep believing that but my mom who works at the mayo would prolly like to have a few words with you
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...?
yeaaaaah well my mom would like to have a word with your mom ... ... ... how old are you? :notsure:
AND if you ask me if I were a "normal" patient..... yes I would much rather have a acredited doctor from a large city in califronia (one of the best states for quality healthcare) look at me , rather than a Dr from a small town rural area in Alabama
so you feel that because you live in a major city on a coast that your opinions are better than any that would not be. this is what is so annoying about our country. people who live on the coasts feel that everything they have and say are so much better than any other place in the country. we out here in the middle of nowhere are just fly over country right?
hey you all keep believing that but my mom who works at the mayo would prolly like to have a few words with you
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...?
yeaaaaah well my mom would like to have a word with your mom ... ... ... how old are you? :notsure:
AND if you ask me if I were a "normal" patient..... yes I would much rather have a acredited doctor from a large city in califronia (one of the best states for quality healthcare) look at me , rather than a Dr from a small town rural area in Alabama
flpriest
Member
dude... not tryin to flame or be disrespectful... spend the couple of bucks and go to the Dr. if your so unsure of your health that you have to consult a SWfish forum for advice on the well being of yourself, i'm sure the money will be worth it in the long run.
Hope you feel well soon!
Fred
Hope you feel well soon!
Fred
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by Oceanists
......... rather than a Dr from a small town rural area in Alabama
I love my "small town" Dr.
I got very sick 4 years ago. My iron count plummeted along with a host of other symptoms. My Dr. always comes into the office, sits down, and chats with his patients.
Anyway, to diagnose me he called in favors with specialists to get me appointments, after hours, in various other offices. Maybe everyone gets that kind of treatment from the Big city Docs.....
......... rather than a Dr from a small town rural area in Alabama
I love my "small town" Dr.
I got very sick 4 years ago. My iron count plummeted along with a host of other symptoms. My Dr. always comes into the office, sits down, and chats with his patients.
Anyway, to diagnose me he called in favors with specialists to get me appointments, after hours, in various other offices. Maybe everyone gets that kind of treatment from the Big city Docs.....
oceanists
Active Member
Originally Posted by Catawaba
Tamiflu, Relenza, and Amantadine are not antibiotics.
And influenza is not a bacterial infection, it is viral.
Have a good night.
hmmmmmmmmm
Amantadine is used to prevent or treat a certain type of flu (influenza A) if you have been infected with the flu this medication may help make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time it will take you to get better taking amantadine if you have been or will be exposed to the flu may help to prevent you from getting the flu this medication is an antiviral that is believed to work by stopping growth of the flu virus
oseltamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza). It helps to make the symptoms less severe and shortens the time to recovery by 1-2 days
zanamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza) in adults and children 7 and older it helps make the symptoms less severe and shortens the recovery time by about 1 day this medication works by stopping the flu virus from growing
.................
more great information by "Dr." Catawaba
LOL
maybe you need to go back to school since you seem to be givin so much misinformation .... have you ever been cited for malpractice?
Tamiflu, Relenza, and Amantadine are not antibiotics.
And influenza is not a bacterial infection, it is viral.
Have a good night.
hmmmmmmmmm
Amantadine is used to prevent or treat a certain type of flu (influenza A) if you have been infected with the flu this medication may help make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time it will take you to get better taking amantadine if you have been or will be exposed to the flu may help to prevent you from getting the flu this medication is an antiviral that is believed to work by stopping growth of the flu virus
oseltamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza). It helps to make the symptoms less severe and shortens the time to recovery by 1-2 days
zanamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza) in adults and children 7 and older it helps make the symptoms less severe and shortens the recovery time by about 1 day this medication works by stopping the flu virus from growing
.................
more great information by "Dr." Catawaba
LOL
maybe you need to go back to school since you seem to be givin so much misinformation .... have you ever been cited for malpractice?
ophiura
Active Member
Several years ago, I was a graduate student teaching intro bio at a major east coast university. Nearly all our bio majors, and there were A LOT of them, were pre med. "Did you not get in to med school?" They would ask (idiots...hello, I grade you...and yes there is other life to study on earth). Very few were quality people. Oh, they got the grades and all, but quite the attitude!
I basically decided I would never see a doctor under 50 right now. Many med students seem to have a bit of an attitude problem, and it starts early for sure.
My Mom was a doctor in a small town in New York. Did all the school stuff, the abuse cases, the severely retarded - not much money, just the love of medicine and what needed to be done. God's work. She had a lot of needs for specialists for her own problems - saw them in NY. Moved to Texas and is SHOCKED. Because she says everyone is so...
NICE
Yes, great facilities. Houston - some of the best medical facilities around. But it is the fact that they are so nice, considerate and professional that gets the
from her.
I basically decided I would never see a doctor under 50 right now. Many med students seem to have a bit of an attitude problem, and it starts early for sure.
My Mom was a doctor in a small town in New York. Did all the school stuff, the abuse cases, the severely retarded - not much money, just the love of medicine and what needed to be done. God's work. She had a lot of needs for specialists for her own problems - saw them in NY. Moved to Texas and is SHOCKED. Because she says everyone is so...
NICE
Yes, great facilities. Houston - some of the best medical facilities around. But it is the fact that they are so nice, considerate and professional that gets the
dmm0724
Member
I work for an answering service for the hospital and so I get to know personalities. There are several that nurses won't even page if at all possible because they are such jerks. They think that just because they are doctors they can talk down to people and be snotty. Well, I have gotten in trouble on several occaisions for dishing it right back out to the doctors.
I think they think i'm some uneducated person working a minimum wage job and that allows them to treat us 'workers' like crap. Whenever I get a nasty doctor who wants to talk crap I say, "i'm sorry sir or ma'am you are going to have to call back, I will not accept being spoken to like i'm an idiot". Typically they ask to speak to my boss who agrees that we all deserve to be treated like humans.
I think they think i'm some uneducated person working a minimum wage job and that allows them to treat us 'workers' like crap. Whenever I get a nasty doctor who wants to talk crap I say, "i'm sorry sir or ma'am you are going to have to call back, I will not accept being spoken to like i'm an idiot". Typically they ask to speak to my boss who agrees that we all deserve to be treated like humans.