What Causes Persistent Throat Infection?

Posted on Sat, 26 Mar 2016

Question: Hello I have had an ongoing throat infection with no fever for the last 8 months..finally they took my tonsils and adenoids out last month, but I still have throat infection symptoms very similar to before. If I had an immunity problem would it manifest this way? What else could be do e for me to get an actual diagnosis? I do have two small children that are often sniffly and congested..

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
The soreness of the throat does not only mean that you have an infection.
Tonsils are organs which help you combat infections and they get inflamed in the process. So sore throat is not a manifestation of low immune status unless the throat infection is due to a fungal infection called candidiasis. In such a situation you can see the curdy white patches in your throat.
With a gastro-esophageal reflux disease you get inflammation of the throat due to the acid regurgitation and you could try the following for relief. Eat only bland food and avoid all fizzy drinks and acidic food like orange, lemon, tomatoes and spicy food. You should go to bed with an empty stomach which means your last food and drink should be at least 2 hours before bed time. It would be good to elevate the head end of your cot with 6 inch blocks so that you sleep on an incline which would decrease your acid reflux. Wear only loose clothes and do not use extra pillows to elevate your head. this would increase your intra abdominal pressure.
Dexilant 60 mg once a day and you can use metoclopramide 10 mg at bed time to decrease your reflux. Try these measures and if your symptoms improve, you have your diagnosis.
Your blood works would normally show high blood wbc count with high percentage of neutrophils if you have a significant bacterial infection.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Wish you a quick recovery.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (6 days later)

I have been doing everything for LPR, including 60mg of dexilant, head elevated no caffeine etc. it just seems like I'm contracting an actual throat infection. The ent that took out my tonsils said they were the worst infected that he has ever seen, yet that didn't show up on any of my blood work. I need relief, as I have had to quit my teaching job, and having a constant sore throat for 9 months sucks. Is there a very strong method of antibiotic therapy I can try? I have done 60mg of dexilant for three months now, and have done everything antiviral possible. Or maybe an antiviral specialist? I have had many imaging tests done to rule out throat cancer but I don't get how something could go on for so long!!

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please see the discussion

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
I understand how frustrating this problem is for you. Let us look at it in a very scientific and objective way. Do a throat swab culture. If it grows a disease producing bacteria, then the sensitivity pattern would show which antibiotic would work best. if no pathogen is grown, do a viral study for those that cause URTI. If this is negative, plausible cause is GERD for which you could add Metoclopramide in addition to the Dexilant and the lifestyle.
If you believe in herbal remedies, you could try a product which has helped some of my patients prevent frequent URTI.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 days later)

Hi,

Thank you for all your help! Can a throat swab be done lower in your throat, by your vocal cords? Also, what is URTI, and yes, I believe in herbal remedies, which ones would work for URTI?

Thank you,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Throat swab can not be taken in the region of the vocal cords. URTI stands for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.
Several of my patients have found benefit from a herbal product Septilin (Himalaya ) in decreasing the frequency and severity of upper respiratory infection.
It was a pleasure interacting with you.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Wish you good health and a great day.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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