Q: My 35 years old uncle is suffering from joints and ankle pain. After undergoing a blood test, the doctor told us that he has low ASO level and was asked to take Erythromycin 500 twice a day and Rabeprazole 20, but the pain remains unchanged. What must be the minimum ASO level? I am also having mild fever. I am experiencing stomach irritation after taking medicines. How can my low ASO level be treated?

A:ASO, in the context of arthritis, is important for certain forms of arthritis which follow streptococcal infection. From your description, this does not look like one and therefore ASO may not be relevant and in that case azithromycin also may not be important. Stomach related symptoms may be drug induced.