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What Causes Sore Throat, White Patches Back Of The Throat And Cold?
Posted on
Sat, 7 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 7 May 2016
Answered on
Mon, 20 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
I need some help and advice. I recently got a job teaching English, so I get to my use my voice actively for around three hours a day, three times a week. Ever since I came into this job (around a month ago), I have been getting sore throats often, especially after talking. I thought that this was just a direct cause of speaking loudly for an extended amount of time. Then, just last week, I caught a bad cold, so that added to what I was feeling in terms of throat problems. Now, the cold seems to be going away, but just yesterday, I got a terrible sore throat and a tight sensation on my throat after coming out of class. I examined myself today and I noticed that I have little red veins in the back of my mouth and on my uvula. I also noticed that I have some white patches of junk on the very back of the throat. My question is: could this be due to the cold? If the sore throat had been going on before the cold, could it have been an infection that was already developing? Also, I am a singer, and I am very worried that sore throats for so long could affect my voice box permanently. I haven't been singing at all during the past week and a half to heal, but should I continue to not sing? Will my vocal chords be okay? What should I do, and what seems to be the problem? Thanks for your help.
I need some help and advice. I recently got a job teaching English, so I get to my use my voice actively for around three hours a day, three times a week. Ever since I came into this job (around a month ago), I have been getting sore throats often, especially after talking. I thought that this was just a direct cause of speaking loudly for an extended amount of time. Then, just last week, I caught a bad cold, so that added to what I was feeling in terms of throat problems. Now, the cold seems to be going away, but just yesterday, I got a terrible sore throat and a tight sensation on my throat after coming out of class. I examined myself today and I noticed that I have little red veins in the back of my mouth and on my uvula. I also noticed that I have some white patches of junk on the very back of the throat. My question is: could this be due to the cold? If the sore throat had been going on before the cold, could it have been an infection that was already developing? Also, I am a singer, and I am very worried that sore throats for so long could affect my voice box permanently. I haven't been singing at all during the past week and a half to heal, but should I continue to not sing? Will my vocal chords be okay? What should I do, and what seems to be the problem? Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
Chronic Laryngitis, Granular Pharyngitis, PND.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a Videolaryngoscopy (VL'Scopy) and a throat swab for culture & sensitivity done. Routine blood tests should be done.
2. The symptoms are suggestive of chronic laryngitis. The red veins signify congestion and the white patches will be inflamed lymphoid tissue (Granular Pharyngitis)and a PND (Post Nasal Drip).
3. Some of the common causes include infection (viral, bacterial or fungal), resistant infections, acid reflux, sinusitis/ post nasal drip (due to the cold), mouth breathing, environmental dust/ pollution, chalk dust allergy and community acquired infections.
4. Voice rest, especially during a cold, is important. Anti-allergic, anti-reflux, anti-inflammatory medication and medicated gargles should be taken. Sometimes steroids (oral and local sprays) are necessary. Home remedies such as turmeric in warm milk, honey & ginger are recommended.
5. Upload images of the VL'Scopy, routine blood test and throat swab reports.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Chronic Laryngitis, Granular Pharyngitis, PND.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a Videolaryngoscopy (VL'Scopy) and a throat swab for culture & sensitivity done. Routine blood tests should be done.
2. The symptoms are suggestive of chronic laryngitis. The red veins signify congestion and the white patches will be inflamed lymphoid tissue (Granular Pharyngitis)and a PND (Post Nasal Drip).
3. Some of the common causes include infection (viral, bacterial or fungal), resistant infections, acid reflux, sinusitis/ post nasal drip (due to the cold), mouth breathing, environmental dust/ pollution, chalk dust allergy and community acquired infections.
4. Voice rest, especially during a cold, is important. Anti-allergic, anti-reflux, anti-inflammatory medication and medicated gargles should be taken. Sometimes steroids (oral and local sprays) are necessary. Home remedies such as turmeric in warm milk, honey & ginger are recommended.
5. Upload images of the VL'Scopy, routine blood test and throat swab reports.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply, doctor.
I'm going to go get an appointment as soon as I can this coming Monday. I have a few questions.
1. Is the sensation of having a closed throat typical of the condition? I feel sometimes like the very back is clogged up.
2. I noticed, upon closer examination, that the white stuff is really more like discharge on the sides of the "mouth cave". Is that still a sign of chronic laryngitis?
3. Could speaking loudly have caused this? I am not sure if the way I speak is a problem, or if I over strained my throat in my teaching job. From now on, I am going to use a normal speaking voice and see how I feel. Of course, I am not singing either until I feel better.
I'm going to go get an appointment as soon as I can this coming Monday. I have a few questions.
1. Is the sensation of having a closed throat typical of the condition? I feel sometimes like the very back is clogged up.
2. I noticed, upon closer examination, that the white stuff is really more like discharge on the sides of the "mouth cave". Is that still a sign of chronic laryngitis?
3. Could speaking loudly have caused this? I am not sure if the way I speak is a problem, or if I over strained my throat in my teaching job. From now on, I am going to use a normal speaking voice and see how I feel. Of course, I am not singing either until I feel better.
Brief Answer:
Reflux, PND., vocal hygiene.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. This sensation in the throat is typical of acid reflux and PND.
2. The white stuff is a PND.
3. Speaking in a normal voice and voice rest is ideal. Use an amplification device while teaching. For some months, avoid shouting, whispering, singing and speaking continuously for long periods of time.
4. Inform about the progress from time to time.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Reflux, PND., vocal hygiene.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. This sensation in the throat is typical of acid reflux and PND.
2. The white stuff is a PND.
3. Speaking in a normal voice and voice rest is ideal. Use an amplification device while teaching. For some months, avoid shouting, whispering, singing and speaking continuously for long periods of time.
4. Inform about the progress from time to time.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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