strep

TUBAMUSICIAN87 · Post by **TUBAMUSICIAN87** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:12 pm

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?

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:12 pm

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

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:58 pm

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.

prototypedenNIS · Post by **prototypedenNIS** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:56 am

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)

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:19 am

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!)

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:12 am

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.

TUBAMUSICIAN87 · Post by **TUBAMUSICIAN87** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:06 pm

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

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:46 pm

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.

prototypedenNIS · Post by **prototypedenNIS** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:09 pm

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

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:45 pm

prototypedenNIS wrote:I kept getting it when I played Bugle

CLEAN IT!!!

prototypedenNIS · Post by **prototypedenNIS** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:59 pm

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