Mastoiditis and test results

[PIK]

I got some further blood work done, CBC was all normal. I think ALT was a point high. The doctor said not to worry about it. Testosterone was on the low end of normal and he told me to get it retested in a few weeks.

 

My question is - I had had an ASO titer of 1500 last week. I did have an episode of pharyngitis with swollen tonsils a few weeks ago, but it was cultured and it was non group-A strep. Isn't ASO specific to group A strep?

 

Aside from the swollen tonsils, a few days later, I had almost a cyst/pimple like thing behind my left ear on the mastoid bone. It is this ear that was later painful, but examination did not reveal anything. Could this be a sign of the strep being in the mastoid as in mastoiditis. I don't think the damn strep is in my tonsils. I never have positive cultures. Can it be in my ears and mastoids? if it were, would examination of the ear still be normal? Are there tests specific to the mastoids, to check if the strep is there? Please enlighten me.

[Iowadawn]

Gees, it can hang out in the hip area like it did to a gal in our church--has nearly cost her her leg. I think I would be inquiring, at least. my two cents.

[Dedee]

Absolutely, strep can be in your sinuses or other places. Have you had an AntiDNase done? This is very strep specific and will also give you an indicator of your strep titers. If these are both elevated and you haven't been treated you should probably find someone who will take this more seriously.

 

Dedee

[PIK]

Anti-dnase B was at like 600 something, and ASO was at 1560. I got treated for 10 days three times a day and now he's treating my once per day with 500 mg penicillin VK. Do you think it needs more aggressive therapy?