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Suggest Treatment For Recurring Sore Throat

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Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Question: Hi, I am a 26 yr old male with a 8 pack year history of smoking, and an unknown growth on uvula for 3 years now. Around 3 weeks ago i developed a sore throat. Just being scratchy at first and progressing to difficulty swallowing, pressure in both ears and white/yellow spots on tonsils and back of throat within 3 days. At that point I saw my physician who cultured for strep which was negative and also cultured further with no abnormal results. She began me on Amoxicillin for 10 days due to the ear pressure. At the end of the ABT my throat and ears had returned to normal for 2 days. After the end of the two days the symptoms reappeared. This time with no white/yellow patches. The pain at this point (1 week ago) had become so unbearable when i swallowed i went back to my primary practice and saw another physician. They said that my throat below my tonsils was ulcerated. He prescribed prednisone for 4 days and a Lidocaine mouth rinse and spit. Also tested for strep again and negative. By the end of the prednisone i was feeling 100% better. Now after a week my symptoms have returned with at one point a temp of 99.5, and a day of joint aches. Throughout this entire course i have been doing saltwater rinses, rest when i can, fluids and treating pain with tylenol/motrin. At no point throughout has my regional lymph glands been swollen or tender, and there is no palpated mass. Mainly just asking for a recommendation on here and any insight. Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Avoid recurrence as explained.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query. ( I am a General as well as an ENT Surgeon hence writing for you)

Very elucidate and self-explaining history.

I hope you have stopped smoking, irritates the pre-existing diseased throat and respiratory system. Have you not asked for the removal of the unknown growth on the uvula for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purpose. If not get it done the moment you are out of the present problem.

The sore throat got alright within the first 10 days with treatment; just to recur after completion of the treatment- you were told about ulceration* this ucer must have been an aphthous or aphthoid ulcer. Yes, it is very painful and comes due to reduced body resistance. Prednisolone and other were the correct treatment.

Now the symptoms have recurred after a week.
I would advise you to continue another antibiotic treatment, anti-inflammatory medicines round the clock, Add multivitamins, probiotics .
This is all suggestive of a reduced body resistance, hence the recurrence. You have to continue treatment till you get a cure, totally symptoms-free and you feel fit.

Avoid the contacts with people who have flu and such symptoms , you are catching it due to reduced body resistance. Avoid the crowded places. Take full bed rest till you are recovered nicely.

I hope all your blood tests including sugar are normal.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)
Thank you for your response i find it very insightful.

I feel this makes sense on why the illness has continued. I work in healthcare and at the beginning of the symptoms i had just started working on a new unit with higher acuity patients. I feel this may be related due to the fact it was within the first week on this unit.

I do plan on having the growth removed, however the ENT in the area is very backed up and is not able to see me for another two months.

I had routine bloodwork, CBC and CMP two weeks prior to the beginning of symptoms with my routine physical. No abnormalities were reported. At that time i also was tested for HIV and HSV at my request, not related to possible exposure and was also negative/nonreactive. Glucose was within normal limits.

I do not feel i have been resting adequately. Getting about 4-5 hrs of sleep a night. The new job also came with a schedule change and i feel i need to adjust to the time difference.

Thank you again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Most welcome !

Detailed Answer:
Most welcome.
Yes, rest is very important.
Get the lump excised.
All the best.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Recurring Sore Throat

Brief Answer: Avoid recurrence as explained. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. ( I am a General as well as an ENT Surgeon hence writing for you) Very elucidate and self-explaining history. I hope you have stopped smoking, irritates the pre-existing diseased throat and respiratory system. Have you not asked for the removal of the unknown growth on the uvula for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purpose. If not get it done the moment you are out of the present problem. The sore throat got alright within the first 10 days with treatment; just to recur after completion of the treatment- you were told about ulceration* this ucer must have been an aphthous or aphthoid ulcer. Yes, it is very painful and comes due to reduced body resistance. Prednisolone and other were the correct treatment. Now the symptoms have recurred after a week. I would advise you to continue another antibiotic treatment, anti-inflammatory medicines round the clock, Add multivitamins, probiotics . This is all suggestive of a reduced body resistance, hence the recurrence. You have to continue treatment till you get a cure, totally symptoms-free and you feel fit. Avoid the contacts with people who have flu and such symptoms , you are catching it due to reduced body resistance. Avoid the crowded places. Take full bed rest till you are recovered nicely. I hope all your blood tests including sugar are normal.