Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Swollen Throat And Difficulty Swallowing?

Hello, my name is tyler. For the past two years ill frequently get a swollen upper throat. Having pain when I barely touch it and when I move my neck. It is difficult to swallow and changes the pitch of my voice. It also causes terrible ear pain. Each time I get it it lasts around 10 days.
Wed, 27 May 2015
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and thanks for your query.

I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.
Based on the symptoms you have mentioned it appears to be tonsillitis. Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis. A common cause is Streptococcus (strep) bacteria.
Treatment for tonsillitis will depend in part on the cause. To determine the cause a rapid strep test or throat swab culture can be done. A lab test can detect a bacterial infection. A viral infection will not show on the test, but may be assumed if the test for bacteria is negative.
In some cases, the physical findings are convincing enough to diagnose a probable bacterial infection. In these cases, antibiotics may be prescribed without performing a test. So i advice you to see ENT specialist for examination and diagnosis.

Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.

Sincerely,
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Swollen Throat And Difficulty Swallowing?

Hello and thanks for your query. I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions. Based on the symptoms you have mentioned it appears to be tonsillitis. Bacterial and viral infections can cause tonsillitis. A common cause is Streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Treatment for tonsillitis will depend in part on the cause. To determine the cause a rapid strep test or throat swab culture can be done. A lab test can detect a bacterial infection. A viral infection will not show on the test, but may be assumed if the test for bacteria is negative. In some cases, the physical findings are convincing enough to diagnose a probable bacterial infection. In these cases, antibiotics may be prescribed without performing a test. So i advice you to see ENT specialist for examination and diagnosis. Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions. Sincerely,