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I was told today that I have strep throat. I havent played in a few days because of the pain but I did play when my throat was a little soar so what I whanted to know is what steps should be taken to clean my horn so I dont get strep again. I know there are a few posts about cleaning horns but what is the most important places to clean when you have something like this?

The whole thing. Wherever there is moisture, bacteria thrive. Consider an ultrasonic to get to places where regular brushes can't reach.

Rinse your horn out with warm water, let it dry out and sterilize your mouthpiece. Streptococcus pyogenes is not tolerant of dessication.

I'm assuming that your physician took a throat culture and has confirmed a bacterial cause. Viral sore throats are quite a different business.

While you're at it, get a new toothbrush. The bacterium can live in a damp toothbrush quite easily. Wash your hands before eating, and drink from a clean glass that's been washed in hot water.

I'd say take a vacation from the horn, the cleaning advice is good, if you bring it into a shop warn them so it goes straight into the cleaning with no diagnostic playing.

I'm pretty vulnerable to strep so, if you didn't warn me, I would kick you in the nuts when I found out...

nothing personal, it's just the only thing I ever get and it takes me out for about a week (with no playing either)

Take a vacation from the tuba, get to bed, and sleep like crazy. When you get tired of sleeping, but still not well enough to go to work/school, scrub that tuba out! Then go back to bed!

I had strep many times and playing a dirty instrument can actually cause a relapse. (Whatever caused strep is still lurking in that tuba somewhere!)

bloke makes a good point. Do what you can at home first before taking it in, then tell them what's going on, maybe even calling before hand to get an appointment with the tank ready so it goes straight in.

thank you for all the really good advice im going to see the schools repair man today and see if he has anything to clean it in

OH GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE

I have played my tuba without cleaning every time when I had strep, and I have never gotten it right back again.... Perhaps I am just lucky.

adam0408 wrote:OH GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE

I have played my tuba without cleaning every time when I had strep, and I have never gotten it right back again.... Perhaps I am just lucky.

yeah, you are. I kept getting it when I played Bugle

prototypedenNIS wrote:I kept getting it when I played Bugle

CLEAN IT!!!

well, that was...11 years ago, I've become a little smarter and clean my instruments more often.