Flu or Strep

My 7 year old started to cough a little bit on Tuesday night, and complained of a mild sore throat. No fever, and he woke up Wednesday feeling fine, so he went to school. Wednesday night he complained of the chills, still had the cough and the sore throat, but no fever. We kept him home yesterday, developed a temp of 100.3 and was crying from the sore throat. Took him to PM Pediatrics last night, tested negative for flu and strep. The doctor suspects it was a false negative for strep, and started him on antibiotics. Today, he wakes up with a new symptom- bad earache. He just went to bed and he is miserable. Fever is now 101, his throat is on fire, cough, earache. He has taken 3 doses of antibiotics so far. Is it normal that it hasn't worked yet?
We are getting concerned it was a false negative for the flu. But he has no headache, no muscle aches, no body aches, no exhaustion. My mom thinks he would be way sicker if it were the flu.
Should we go back to PM pediatrics tomorrow if he doesn't wake up better? He did get the flu shot, back in October.

Flu or Strep

My kids had something like that last month and it was just a virus. The antibiotics will help the ear pain if it’s an infection.

I would wait a few more days before returning since he is on an antibiotic. There’s really not much else they can do.

Flu or Strep

My family just had an awful virus, and I had it the worst.

Sore throat, coughing, weak and fatigued. Also developed pink eye and an ear infection in one ear. I’m on day 9 and just starting to feel semi better.

Re: Flu or Strep

My 1 yr old just had a virus too. Super red throat, ear infection and a fever of 102. He went on antibiotics for his ears and was better within 2 days or so.

Re: Flu or Strep

My 7 year old DD just had something very similar last week. Tested negative for flu and strep. Doctor said it was a virus, and that it's normal for kids this age to get sick every 2 weeks!

I wouldn't take him back to the doctor...there's nothing they can do for him really. You'd just be exposing him to more germs.

It's been a really rough winter for us. I was debating getting bloodwork done on DD because she seems to be sick every couple of weeks. Wishing for a healthy spring!!

Flu or Strep

Thanks everyone! He was up all night coughing, and now he is very congested too. Called the doctor this morning, they prescribed cough medicine to help him sleep. The ped thinks the bad cough is why his throat isn't getting any better. Since the antibiotics have had 0 effect, and he's been on them for 48 hours, it most likely is viral and we will have to wait it out. The doctor said he should start to feel better by tomorrow or Monday. Fingers crossed.

Re: Flu or Strep

My daughter tested positive for strep and within 24 hrs on antibiotics was feeling significantly better.

Hope he's better soon!

Re: Flu or Strep

If the antibiotics haven't helped, it's most likely viral.
there are so many viruses out there that are flu like that aren't even flu.
the worst part is, you can't do anything for them and just have to ride it out.
I always prefer when they diagnose strep to be honest- because at least then I know the antibiotics will help quickly..
Viruses are the worst!

Flu or Strep

Thanks everyone. He was still pretty sick over the weekend, fever broke last night and he woke up this morning feeling better, not 100%, but definitely an improvement. We kept him home again today, hopefully he will be ok to go back to school tomorrow. The biggest pain was keeping him away from the other kids.
I agree with PP, I wish it was strep, at least then you feel pretty much fine in 24-48 hours. The ped office called on Saturday, he definitely did not have strep.