Noticed Red And White Spots On Tonsils, Feeling Fatigue And Have Sore Throat. Any Ideas?

Posted on Mon, 3 Dec 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 Answered on

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : sore throat for 30+ days, red with white spots on throat and tonsils, fatigue, elevated liver enzymes. Negative rapid strep, negative mono blood test. Still waiting on throat culture. Been on ABX- Amoxicillin 800 mg - 2 times a day for 10 days with no relief. Any idea what this could be?

Answered by Dr. Naveen (4 hours later)

Hi

Thanks for the query

The features described by you are of acute granular pharyngitis and tonsillitis. It is good that both strep and monospot tests are negative. Hence, this appears to be antibiotic resistant tonsillo-pharyngitis.

Whitish spots on the pharyngeal wall are the pus pointing lymphoid follicles over the pharyngeal wall and blocked crypts of the tonsils with micro-abscess.

Do not worry! This can be cured with appropriate medications and care. Mild elevation of the liver enzymes can be noticed in long-standing viral infections. Fatigue could be due to the antibiotics and long-standing infection.

My advice to you is:
1. To drink plenty of warm water, this helps in keeping the throat hydrated, improve blood circulation and reduce the throat discomfort
2. To use povidone iodine throat spray 3-4 times a day after food. Povidone iodine is a good topical antibiotic and anti-inflmmatory, hence reduce the duration of the infective process.
3. Try taking alternate antibiotics such as oral cefuroxime or injectable antibiotics (after consulting your doctor)
4. Drink plenty of fresh fruit juice to boost your body immunity and reduce the elevated liver enzymes.acs
5. Avoid smoking/chilled beverages/alcohol till you recover.

Hope I have answered your queries; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar