I have severe pain in left ear and left side of my throat. It hurts even more and almost unbearable when swallowing. I went to urgent care this morning to have the test and they confirmed that it is viral strep and not bacterial.

The kids have been sick, but just minor cold symptoms, nothing serious enough that I needed to take them to the doctor.

Fortunately I have not had a cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, or any other symptoms.

Other than a shit ton of sleep and water, does anyone have any advice that worked for them? I am also shutting down all activity.

My goal is to get this to heal as quickly as possible and get my resting HR as close to normal for the race. I am not too worried about pain relief. Sleep and water are probably the top two answers but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask what people's #3 are.

Thanks...

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"If it costs you 30 minutes at Maryland so what" -dwreal