Suggest Treatment For Burning And Painful Throat

Posted on Sun, 28 Dec 2014

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

Sun, 28 Dec 2014 Answered on

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My throat hurts very bad, it itches and burns. I had a mouth soar near my tonsil (6 days ago, it's gone now) my throat is red and I have lots of sinus drainage. No headache yet but a little sinus pressure. Do I need to be worried that it burns to breath and it feels I need to cough, but no coughing? I am afraid I may pass this along to my daughter (15 months). She is recovering from a viral sickness (her doctor said it could be the flu....her highest temperature was 103.9 duration from Monday-Saturday.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upper respiratory tract infection- need antibiotic

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to HCM forum.
Thanks for posting to us.

I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern .
As you describe, it seems like you are suffering from upper respiratory tract infection(pharyngitis and sinusitis). This can be treated with antibiotics and antihistamines for a few days. For such cases, I usually give antibiotics like azithromycin or amoxicillin + clavulonate for about 5 days. Your doctor will guide you.

Meanwhile, avoid cold drinks, do frequent warm saline gargles and steam inhalation 6-8 times a day. Also, antihistamine like Levocetirizine 5 mg once daily will help relieving sinus discharge and fullness. Kindly see your doctor without delay for starting antibiotics.

To avoid transmission to baby, you can use a handkerchief to cover while coughing, and avoid contact with sinus discharge . Also, wash your hands with soap and water before handling the baby.

Hope this answer will help.
If you have further questions, I will be happy to help.
Wishing for a faster cure.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam (42 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply. What if I wait before receiving treatment (in hope my body heals itself) for a few more days. Also, is it because of the drainage my throat hurts? How will I know the difference between a viral or bacterial infection from my sinuses or respiratory infection?

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
better not to wait

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thanks for follow up.

It is better for us not to wait, as sinusitis is mostly bacterial and is rarely caused by viruses( unlike simple cold). So delay in treatment can cause slow and incomplete resolution and may even lead to chronic sinusitis.

Throat discomfort is not from drainage per se, and indicates presence of associated pharyngitis.This will also respond to same antibiotic.

It is difficult to clinically differentiate viral and bacterial infection with confidence. Some features indicative of bacterial infection are high grade fever, yellowish discharge, failure of 2-3 days of supportive treatment etc. Anyhow, unlike simple cold, sinusitis is most commonly bacterial .

Hope now I have answered your query.
If you have no further questions, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wishing you good health.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj