Concerned About Your Father's Health? Understanding Strep Throat and Potential Complications

Question
Hello,

My father is very sick. He has strep throat which he caught from his granddaughter, and also has accidentally inhaled a fogger he set off inside a house to kill flies. He said he can never remember his throat being so sore, ever. He's also fatigued and coughing, finding it difficult to eat or drink; he is eating Popsicles, ice cream, and a little soup, but says that it's hard for him to swallow water.

The problem is, he will NOT go to the doctor. Not ever. It's a religion thing and no amount of begging will budge him. He's 73 years old.

Is there anything at all I can do to help him? There has to be something I can do. I'm really worried about him.

Thanks,
Kathy  

Answer
strep throat is a pretty miserable illness..... the fogger probably isn't doing much but strep hurts a lot.  I assume he is in his right mind.... meaning he doesn't have dementia... if that is the case, then he gets to make choices on his health care.  From your description, not very good choices, but his choices nonetheless.  

Sometimes all you can do is show people the way... they have to take the next step.

If it helps... the antibiotics will shorten the course and help the sore throat resolve more quickly.