Virus :(

After blood & swab tests the Doctor rang me today with results saying I've got - here's a boring blog about whats wrong

Streptococcal pharyngitis or Strep throat

It is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is the most common bacterial infection of the throat!

Strep throat is most common in children between age 5 and 15, although anyone can get it.
Strep throat is spread by person-to-person contact with nasal secretions or saliva. It commonly spreads among family or household members.

Symptoms may be mild or severe. You usually start to feel sick about 2 to 5 days after you come in contact with the bacteria.
Symptoms usually begin suddenly, and can include:
Fever that begins suddenly and is often highest on the second day
Red throat, sometimes with white patches
Sore throat
Headache
Nausea
Chills
General ill feeling
Loss of appetite and abnormal taste
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Difficulty swallowing

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, not strep-related bacteria. Strep cannot be accurately diagnosed by symptoms or a physical exam alone. Many of the other causes of sore throats may have the same symptoms.
Sore throats should only be treated with antibiotics if the strep test is positive. Antibiotics are taken to prevent rare but more serious health problems, such as rheumatic fever.
Penicillin or amoxicillin is usually first tried. Antibiotics should be taken for 10 days, even though symptoms are usually gone after few days.

Symptoms of strep throat usually get better in about 1 week. Untreated, strep can lead to serious complications. :(

On rare occasions, strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever if it is not treated. Strep throat may also cause a rare kidney complication called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Ear infection

Sinusitis

Mastoiditis

Peritonsillar abscess

Rheumatic fever

Glomerulonephritis

Scarlet fever

Guttate psoriasis

Calling your health care provider

Most people with strep are contagious until they have been on antibiotics 24 - 48 hours. They should stay home from school, daycare, or work until they have been on antibiotics for at least a day.

If repeated cases of strep still occur in a family, you might check to see if someone is a strep carrier. Carriers have strep in their throats, but the bacteria do not make them sick. Sometimes, treating them can prevent others from getting strep throat.
References