
Acidic Feeling In Throat After Oral Sex. Getting Sinus And Flu Symptoms. Negative For Hiv. Cure?

Thanks for the query and a comprehensive history.
The symptoms mentioned by you seems to be of chronic sinusitis. The dryness inside the nose is due to alteration in the nasocliliary mechanism on the nasal mucosa.
During an headache and nasal infection. When the infected secretions trickle down into the throat it can cause irritation of the throat, followed by cough and difficulty in swallowing.
Apart from antibiotics you need to follow other measures to get rid of sinusitis.
1. Drink plenty of warm water – this helps in improving the blood circulation, keeping the mucosa moist and relief from pain and discomfort.
2. Use saline nasal spray followed by steam inhalation 3-4 times a day - this helps in keeping the nasal mucosa moist and opening up of the sinuses, thus reducing the nasal block and facial pressure.
3. If the symptoms do not improve, request your doctor to get a CT scan of the nose and the paranasal sinuses done to assess the extent of the blocked sinuses and the anatomy.
4. Also, avoid chilled food & beverages/coffee till you recover.
5. Avoid sleeping under the fan or in front of the air conditioner blower.
Hope I have answered your queries; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Thank for writing back
Yes, occasionally there can be sinus blockage in the absence of the nasal congestion. This is because of the wide nasal cavities. Secondly, due to the infection and the dryness of the nose the mucosa will loose its property of clearing of the secretions from the sinus cavities, thus causing accumulation of the secretions.
With saline spray and the steam inhalation the blocked sinuses can be relieved. Please use plain water for steam inhalation and do not add anything into the water. Rest, you can continue the treatment as mentioned in the previous response. You can follow the above procedures and let me know after few days.
I wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


I have been doing the steam and saline nasal spray now since we talked. I have been doing steam for 15-20 min 4 times per day. This has caused some activity in my sinus areas. I have been getting some drip down in my throat from my sinus cavities. I have tried to cough it up but 50% I end up swallowing. I still have the pressure in my face area and swollen bilateral lymph nodes. The pressure has not gone down but is about the same maybe a little more with the steam affecting it. I was wondering if you think I should get an MRI with contrast to see if there is anything else going on. It cheaper for me to get an MRI than a CAT scan if an MRI would still work. My lymph nodes feel more swollen now since the steam and saline treatment mat be even a little bigger and swollen. I have noticed a little pain in my lower right abdomen area coming from whatever organ is there. It started this morning. Not sure if its cause from the infected sinus stuff I am ingesting. Is there anyway I can keep communicating with you until I have resolved this issue. I don't mind paying again on the website that got me to you but I don't know if I can request you or if you can send a request for me to pay so we can continue with my treatment and analysis. Also, if you tell me it would be good to get an MRI, let me know the best way to get it to you assuming you read MRI's. If not who would you recommend that is good at reading MRI's. Would I need contrast XXXXXXX or no contrast dye? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I have been dealing with this for over 2 months and it is very aggrevating, depressing and demotivating to deal with. I will give you my email just in case. YYYY@YYYY . Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated!
Signed
Very desperate to get rid of this
Welcome back and thanks for the feedback
For examining the sinuses, CT scan is a preferred investigation, MRI can also be helpful. Ask for the scan of both paranasal sinuses and the brain.
There is no relation between the enlargement of the lymph nodes and the steam inhalation. Similarly, there is no relation between the stomachache and the sinusitis.
You can try a course of new antibiotics such as cefuroxime after getting CT or MRI. Cefuroxime is one the drug of choice for sinusitis and it is quite effective. Once you get the investigation done you can post the images, I'll definitely help you in identifying the problem.
Use saline spray and wait for ten minutes followed by steam inhalation for 5 minutes. Do not expose yourself to steam for more duration; it will hurt the nasal mucosa.
You can recharge the present discussion with the top-up option available. I’ll be there to help you out anytime. Finally, please do not feel depressed, there is a solution for everything. Allow us sometime for a thorough analysis before taking on further steps.
Wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


I called to found a place to get a low cost full body ct scan from brain to abdomen. FYI..I have also had some bad lower back pains mainly in the middle and right side of my lower back. I typically get some lower back lower pains at times but this one lasted for 4 weeks and was more on the right side than in the middle where it usually is. I have also had some recent pain under my rib cage on the right side front and back. The pain I mentioned in my lower abdomen yesterday was not actually in my abdomen. It felt like it was more in whatever organ is next to the abdomen on the right side of my body. its not a constant pain but more of a random pain at times. Pain is mild but noticible. I have not been getting good sleep lately as I have this tingling in my lower legs (calf and ankle area) and both my hands feel like they are going to sleep or tingling as well but "don't" get numb to the touch. The sensation I am getting in my hands at night is very strange. I thought it may be because i was sleeping on my side and cutting off circulation but it also does it when I sleep on my back. If for some reason the ct scan doesn't help find and later come to resolve my illness, is there another type of test like a biopsy of one of the lymph nodes in my neck to see what kind of infection my body is fighting? I feel like the infection is more isolated to my throat/neck area and sinus cavity but appears to be affecting other parts of my body. I don't really have a sore throat (more like and aching inside the throat) and it only feels sore if some at times from drippage coming from my sinus cavity. I have never really had headaches ever in my life but they have been on and off during the course of this illness. Anyway, I am getting the ct scan on Wednesday 830AM pacific standard time. Once I get the the results I will contact you. The wont be able to produce a cd of the ct scan images same day but they said they will give me some kind of report that day. CD takes a few days to mail to me. I will up load it once I get home. Thanks again for all your help.
Thanks for writing back
The pain over the lower back could be kidney related problems and the tingling is not a major issue. You need to consult your doctor to confirm the same.
Secondly, it is good to know that you are getting a CT scan done. CT scan would be an ideal investigation for the nose, paranasal sinuses and the abdomen.
If the CT scan is not able to detect any major problem in the neck, you can definitely get a open biopsy of the lymph node.
Lets hope for the best.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Welcome back
It is good to know that CT scan came out to be almost normal. You can post the images once you get the CD (only the head and neck images).
Secondly, the submandibular swelling can also be related to sialadenitis (inflammation of the submandibular salivary gland), which also happens to be located in the same area.
Initially, you can try a course of oral clindamycin which is effective in treating sialadenitis and the inflammed lymph nodes both. Drink plenty of warm water to clear any sludge in the salivary ducts. If you still continue to have similar problems even after the above medication you can get an ultrasound (USG) of the neck or excision biopsy of the lymph nodes. USG of the neck is as good as doing FNAC and is less expensive.
Do not worry! Be positive, it is just a matter of time, every thing will be alright. I am just trying to save you from any surgical intervention and treat you with medicines only.
Hope you are convinced with this answer.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Thanks for writing back
1. Yes, your dentist or your general doctor can prescribe oral clindamycin for a week.
2. Chronic throat infection can cause sore lymph nodes and it can be either viral or bacterial unless checked by doing an examination of the throat swab taken. Secondly, stress and acid reflux disease can also cause this sort of soreness on and off.
3. USG can tell us whether there is an inflamed lymph node or salivary gland but it cannot detect the type of infection.
4. USG is an investigation done to support the diagnosis and it is safe and harmless. Whereas clindamycin is a medicine. Every drug on the earth taken will have side effects. It has to be taken only when it is indicated and try to prevent or be cautious about the side effects.
5. I am sorry, I cannot prescribe the medicine online. You need to talk to your doctor before taking the medicine.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Welcome back
I sincerely apologize for the delay in answering your query.
1. I have taken antibiotics (Z pack and amoxicillan as well as generic valtrex, etc) and these did not help. Is it possible the infection I may have could resist these medicines?
A: All the above medicines are not the drugs of choice for your problem. You require a broad spectrum antibiotic.
2. Will the throat swab determine "exactly" what kind of infection it may be?
A: Yes it will help in identifying the type of micro-organism and the appropriate antibiotic for treating it.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Answered by

Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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