Suggest Treatment For Persistent Throat Irritation While Having Throat Infection

Posted on Thu, 10 Dec 2015

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

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello , I Moved to china 4 month ago, one month later I had a throat infection that went away after 2 weeks with antibiotic , but since then sometimes i feel uncomfortable down my throat , It gets worth with having milk so I cut off my milk , sometimes I feel it on top of my throat and sometimes down my throat , I am 31 years old and no history of smoking at all, I went to see a specialist here and he checked my throat couldn't see anything but since I still sometimes feel it and that Chinese doctor couldn't speak english I wanted to know another doctor's opinion , I am living in jinan which is such a polluted city as well, Thank you

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
throat irritation from pollution or reflux

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is unlikely that you are still having throat irritation from the throat infection 3 months ago. It may be from the pollution or it may be from acid reflux from your stomach. It would be a good idea to try an antacid medication like omeprazole at bedtime for a few weeks and see if this gets rid of the problem. If it does not you may want to see a doctor again and make sure there is not another throat infection requiring antibiotics. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, large meals and eating just before bedtime to decrease the chances of reflux.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Dr. Robinson

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

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (14 minutes later)

Hello
Thank you for your time. Is it possible to have acid reflex without heartburn or any burning sensation? cause I dont feel any of those. And so far from my experience it comes all of a sudden, infact sometimes having a meal makes me not to feel it. the uncomfortable feeling is at the level of my thyroid.
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it is possible

Detailed Answer:
It is possible to have reflux, especially during your sleep that you do not experience as heartburn. That's why I suggested an antacid trial at bedtime. Anytime your throat is irritated it may be relieved by eating or drinking something. Dryness can make any sort of throat irritation hurt worse and eating or drinking may soothe that temporarily.
I am not sure why it would come on all of a sudden. Allergies or irritation from pollution would tend to be more of a constant irritation. Is it possible that the sensation comes on when your throat is dry? It could be that there is some underlying irritation from reflux or just the pollution and then when your throat gets dry it sets off the pain.
If you think there may be something going on with your thyroid it would be a good idea to get that checked by a blood test as well.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Dr. Robinson

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

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (5 minutes later)

Thank you for your advice, I dont have pain at all, Is there any other medication like omeprazole or other names for it ,because I am in china and omg never come to this country :) , I will be back home (Australia ) in one month and half , but i will definitely try to find omeprazole. Thank you so much

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
other names

Detailed Answer:
Here's some other things to try.
Omeprazole is the generic name for Prilosec which is over the counter now in US at least. You could also look for ranitiidine which is also called zantac. If you can find an english speaking phaarmacist they could help you find something to block acid.
Good luck.
Dr. Robinson

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