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How Can Sore Throat Along With Lymph Node Swelling Be Treated?
Question: Hi,
About three days ago I started feeling extremely fatigued and had an intermittent fever with chills. I also had a headache in the front of my face and aches/pains. I was also light-headed. The fever seems to have resided (or is lower grade at least), but now my throat is incredibly sore on the left side and I noticed that, while my lymph nodes don't feel swollen, the area around the one on the left is tender. And I'm still fatigued and achy. I haven't been experiencing a runny nose and these aren't typical symptoms I tend to have for a cold. So I was wondering if it might be an infection of the sinuses or ear? I have been traveling on planes quite a bit in the past few weeks. If it's a cold (virus), I'll wait it out. But since I have another trip in a couple of days, I'd like to it treated if it might be an infection. Thanks for your help!
About three days ago I started feeling extremely fatigued and had an intermittent fever with chills. I also had a headache in the front of my face and aches/pains. I was also light-headed. The fever seems to have resided (or is lower grade at least), but now my throat is incredibly sore on the left side and I noticed that, while my lymph nodes don't feel swollen, the area around the one on the left is tender. And I'm still fatigued and achy. I haven't been experiencing a runny nose and these aren't typical symptoms I tend to have for a cold. So I was wondering if it might be an infection of the sinuses or ear? I have been traveling on planes quite a bit in the past few weeks. If it's a cold (virus), I'll wait it out. But since I have another trip in a couple of days, I'd like to it treated if it might be an infection. Thanks for your help!
Brief Answer:
Discussion folllows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
You seem to be having a throat infection or pharyngitis.
The throat infection may be viral or bacterial and the symptoms would be very similar.
Bacterial infections would get better faster with antibiotics but antibiotics are not indicated for a viral infection.
Sinusitis or ear infection will have additional symptoms like pain in the ear , facial pain or headache and since you do not have these, you are less likely to have either of them.
One way to differentiate between viral and bacterial infection as you are to travel soon, is to get a wbc total and differential count. Significant bacterial infection would elevate the total wbc and neutrophil count, the viral infection is likely to lower the wbc count and the neutrophil count.
Do get back to me with the blood result.
Discussion folllows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
You seem to be having a throat infection or pharyngitis.
The throat infection may be viral or bacterial and the symptoms would be very similar.
Bacterial infections would get better faster with antibiotics but antibiotics are not indicated for a viral infection.
Sinusitis or ear infection will have additional symptoms like pain in the ear , facial pain or headache and since you do not have these, you are less likely to have either of them.
One way to differentiate between viral and bacterial infection as you are to travel soon, is to get a wbc total and differential count. Significant bacterial infection would elevate the total wbc and neutrophil count, the viral infection is likely to lower the wbc count and the neutrophil count.
Do get back to me with the blood result.
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
Answered by
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