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Sore throat, fever + nausea for 18 days : virus or infection

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I guess I'm wondering if this is really a virus or if it could be something else. I don't have a regular physician I see and don't know if I should find one at this point or just let this "run it's course". It's been 18 days since this started.


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replied August 8th, 2007
General Q and A Answer A3149
You wrote:

"Current medical status: On July 2nd around 8pm I started having a sore throat, chills, low grade fever (102). By 5am the next morning I was also nauseated and vomited several times, my neck was very tender as my glands were extremely swollen, and I had diarrhea as well. I went to an urgent care clinic and was told I had a virus that would have to run it's course. I still have the sore throat every day and also the fever and nausea on and off. It's been 18 days since this started."


Having a fever for more than 18 days requires several diagnostic procedures in order to identify the location and cause of the pathologic process. A sore throat and swollen neck lymph nodes indicate infection of the throat ... but not always. If the infection was caused by common viruses it should be overcome after several days.

In your case, it seems that a common viral infection of the throat is less possible. A microbiological smear of the throat should be taken to identify the true infective agent. Diarrhea indicates intestinal infection but this can be proven only with microbiological investigation of the feces. Standard blood analyses are also necessary for the proper diagnostic procedure to be complete. You can consult an ENT-specialist or infectologist to follow up.


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