Suggest Treatment For Severe Throat Pain And Cough

Posted on Mon, 2 Jan 2017

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

Mon, 2 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : It started with unbearable throat pain, it hurt to swallow and as a consequence I could not sleep. I had no cold symptoms and on day 3 decided to go to a walk in. He did a throat swab and it came back negative for strep so he said it was likely a virus and to go home and wait it out. The next day cold symptoms finally appeared and my throat eased up a little bit but just like that the cold symptoms "dried up" and the throat was back. This cycle of runny nose and cough to drying up and throat pain continues but my throat has improved a lot but I'm still taking Advil every 6 hours for pain and inflammation management. I never took my temperature but I know I was experiencing low fevers which Advil generally relieved. I'm on day 5 of this now and wondering if this is normal? Should I continue to try and wait this out or go back to a doctor?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thank you for posting your question on Health Care Magic.
By the description of your symptoms it looks like you have a bad upper respiratory tract infection, which us easing out .
Are you still having low grade fever?if you are then it could be worthwhile to add an antibiotic just to cover any bacterial infection though your symptoms are more in favour of a viral origin.
I would suggest you to decrease the frequency of advil rather hold it and record your temperature.
Though you can wait for 2 more days there is no need to hurry back to your physician.
Also please keep yourself well hydrated.
After stopping advil let me know if you have recorded temperature.
Hope this helps
Best wishes

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

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (46 minutes later)

Thank you for this. I will record my temp at my next Advil cycle but I feel so dependant on it...the pain is too much.

How come my cold symptoms have disappeared again? I was so happy once I had a productive cough and runny nose as I felt tremendous relief...but it literally "dried up" now anything from my nose is very sticky and thick and a lot of red. My cough is completely dry and the dryness adds to my already painful throat.

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You need an antibiotic

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, If your sore throat has worsened you might be having a superadded bacterial infection

If you are not allergic to it I would prefer you to start taking Tab Augmentin DUO 625mg twice a day for 5 days .

And taper down your advil. Warm salt water gargle twice a day should ease your throat pain.

Hope this helps
Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (10 minutes later)

thank you - I suspected I may need an antibiotic.

Just a question regarding the Advil - youve mentioned a few times to taper off it. I definitely will once I'm taking an antibiotic (I plan to go to the walk-in tomorrow) but will it do me any harm to take 2 Advils @ 200mg each every 5-6 hours? unfortunately salt water gargles bring virtually no relief :(

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes unfortunately advil passes out of body through the kidneys and too much of it will tax the kidney so it will be good if you could taper it.
Once antibiotic is in your pain will decrease.

Hope this helps
Best wishes

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. Remy Koshy