I just got back from the ER, where I took myself for a throat culture. I have what I consider an unmistakable case of strep (or some other disgusting throat infection): namely, such pain in my throat when I swallow that I wince and have to scrunch up my shoulders. The on-call doctor said on the phone that since we discovered I'm allergic to the lovely -cillin family, he would have to go to a second-choice line of antibiotics, so he would want to make sure it was indeed strep (or whatever, something bacterial in any case). So I went for a culture (where I was examined by a friend, which was funny!), and it came back negative. Shit! So it's either viral, in which case it will have to run its course, or it is indeed bacterial but won't show up on the culture for another day or two. (Apparently the rapid test is only about 75% accurate.)
This is making me think that having my doctor's personal cell phone number 24/7 would be awfully nice....
Does the $1,500 boutique doctor get you antibiotics every time you self-diagnose (and IMHO, once you've had it, you can tell the difference between a viral sore throat and strep)....then sign me up!
Posted by: Diane Neer | October 31, 2007 at 05:55 AM