Suggest Treatment For Extreme Sore Throat And Severe Pain In The Right Side Of The Neck In A 13-year-old Boy

Posted on Fri, 15 Jun 2018

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

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 Answered on

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, my 13 year old son woke up this morning with an extremely sore throat and says his right side of his neck is extremely painful. He was evaluated for Strep throat which came back negative, but he can hardly move his neck now.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Non strep pharyngitis or IMN

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It could be pharyngitis (inflammation of throat) due to non strep bacteria. Other possibility is IMN (infectious mononucleosis) which present with severe threat pain. Tonsillitis can also present this.
Start a short course of antibiotics for five to seven days. Do warm saline gargles and avoid cold drinks.
Continue analgesics (Tylenol and ibuprofen)
Get a mono spot test to rule out IMN.
If symptoms persist, consult an ENT surgeon and get evaluated.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad