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6 Years Ago I Had A Tonsillectomy Due To Recurring
Question: 6 years ago I had a tonsillectomy due to recurring tonsilitis. Prior to that I took many types of antibiotic for many years and I guess I have built up a tolerance. Since then I have been fine but 3 months ago I had a nasty bout of pharyngitis. Since then I have been taking antibiotics off and on, each time I stop a few days to a week later the infection comes back with fever etc... Can you recommend an antibiotic combination therapy to erradicate the infection? I can no longer take Levofloxacine due to tendonitis....
Brief Answer:
Throat swab culture needs to be done
Detailed Answer:
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I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Pharyngitis can be caused due to some viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (causes mono), or some bacteria like Streptococcus (causes Strep throat). Irrespective of the cause, you need to do is to gurgle with lukewarm water. Since pharyngitis is not always bacterial, the antibiotics are possibly relieving the secondary infections only while the primary infection remains and flares up after the antibiotics are stopped. I would insist you to get a throat swab culture done. It will reveal which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to. The choice of antibiotics should be made as indicated by the culture and not through some random choice.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Throat swab culture needs to be done
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Pharyngitis can be caused due to some viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (causes mono), or some bacteria like Streptococcus (causes Strep throat). Irrespective of the cause, you need to do is to gurgle with lukewarm water. Since pharyngitis is not always bacterial, the antibiotics are possibly relieving the secondary infections only while the primary infection remains and flares up after the antibiotics are stopped. I would insist you to get a throat swab culture done. It will reveal which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to. The choice of antibiotics should be made as indicated by the culture and not through some random choice.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I understand what you're saying but i live in Morocco and a throat swab isn't available. I've also had the Epstein barr vieus before 20 years ago. Can;t you just suggest which antibiotic combo is likely to be the most effective?
Brief Answer:
Avoid any further antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
I would insist you not to try any further antibiotics since you have already tried antibiotics several times. Try gurgling with lukewarm water instead. If possible, visit an ENT specialist. I am quite certain that an ENT specialist can obtain throat swab and also get it tested.
Regards
Avoid any further antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
I would insist you not to try any further antibiotics since you have already tried antibiotics several times. Try gurgling with lukewarm water instead. If possible, visit an ENT specialist. I am quite certain that an ENT specialist can obtain throat swab and also get it tested.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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