Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It Safe To Have Extra Strength Advil Liquid Gels For Sore Throat?
Question: I have a viral infection in my throat I think... Red throat and swollen tonsils and glands in neck... Throat is not sore much but quite tender no white spots so I don't think it's strep... Im taking extra strength Advil liquid gels one ever 8 hours or so.. It almost takes the pain away 100% is this harmful to me... May I continue this dose until my throat gets better I hear it's bad for your liver and Stomache.. But I'm a healthy guy only sick once or so a year... I don't drink alcohol very often maybe once a month but I do smoke.. So will I be OK taking Advil.. And should I go see my doctor to get antibiotics? Or should I let it run its course
Brief Answer:
You can use it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if the drug contains 400mg ibuprofen then taking three of them each day is not too much. You can take up to 3000mg per day which is close to the maximum dose. Of course this is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which means that it can harm your kidneys, stomach, liver, increase your blood pressure etc. It's unlikely that taking it for a few days will harm you, but you should take it only if it's absolutely needed. Please remember to drink enough fluids to reduce the potential for injury to your kidneys and stop it at once if you feel stomach burning pain or any stomach symptom.
Tonsilitis usually gets much better within 2-3 days so you'll probably be OK without it by then. This kind of infections usually resolve by themselves within 5 days with the exception of infectious mononucleosis and some uncommon pathogens.
Tonsilitis caused by bacteria usually benefits from antibiotic treatment because the complication rate is reduced and there is a somewhat faster improvement in clinical status. If you're having no white spots, no swollen and tender neck lymph nodes and no high fever then you probably have a viral infection, particularly if you've got cough as well.
Please note that in the first couple of days - sometimes - white spots might be absent even in bacterial infections. So checking your throat again tomorrow may XXXXXXX you!
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please let me know and I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
You can use it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
if the drug contains 400mg ibuprofen then taking three of them each day is not too much. You can take up to 3000mg per day which is close to the maximum dose. Of course this is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which means that it can harm your kidneys, stomach, liver, increase your blood pressure etc. It's unlikely that taking it for a few days will harm you, but you should take it only if it's absolutely needed. Please remember to drink enough fluids to reduce the potential for injury to your kidneys and stop it at once if you feel stomach burning pain or any stomach symptom.
Tonsilitis usually gets much better within 2-3 days so you'll probably be OK without it by then. This kind of infections usually resolve by themselves within 5 days with the exception of infectious mononucleosis and some uncommon pathogens.
Tonsilitis caused by bacteria usually benefits from antibiotic treatment because the complication rate is reduced and there is a somewhat faster improvement in clinical status. If you're having no white spots, no swollen and tender neck lymph nodes and no high fever then you probably have a viral infection, particularly if you've got cough as well.
Please note that in the first couple of days - sometimes - white spots might be absent even in bacterial infections. So checking your throat again tomorrow may XXXXXXX you!
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please let me know and I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I do have swollen and tender lymph nodes in my neck
Brief Answer:
please read the explanation about the Centor criteria
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
let me give a more detailed answer this time.
There are 5 criteria that help the doctor judge whether a patient has streptococcal tonsilitis or not:
(1) white spots or exudate : 1 point
(2) tender and swollen lympn nodes on the neck : 1 point
(3) no cough, no runny nose : 1 point
(4) fever>38 degrees of Celcius : 1 point
(5) age between 3-14 years: 1 point, age>45 : -1 point.
If you gather 4 (or more) points then you have to take treatment because streptococcal infection is likely.
If you've got more than 1 and less than 4 points then you've got to do a strep-test. If the test is positive then treatment with antibiotics is warranted.
So if you don't have enough criteria you should just wait unless you've very severe symptoms or your condition is worsening. If things get worse, you should seek a clinical encounter, with your doctor, because complications have to be excluded.
I hope I've not used too much medical jargon. If you'd like clarifications, please ask!
Kind Regards!
please read the explanation about the Centor criteria
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
let me give a more detailed answer this time.
There are 5 criteria that help the doctor judge whether a patient has streptococcal tonsilitis or not:
(1) white spots or exudate : 1 point
(2) tender and swollen lympn nodes on the neck : 1 point
(3) no cough, no runny nose : 1 point
(4) fever>38 degrees of Celcius : 1 point
(5) age between 3-14 years: 1 point, age>45 : -1 point.
If you gather 4 (or more) points then you have to take treatment because streptococcal infection is likely.
If you've got more than 1 and less than 4 points then you've got to do a strep-test. If the test is positive then treatment with antibiotics is warranted.
So if you don't have enough criteria you should just wait unless you've very severe symptoms or your condition is worsening. If things get worse, you should seek a clinical encounter, with your doctor, because complications have to be excluded.
I hope I've not used too much medical jargon. If you'd like clarifications, please ask!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Let me clarify lol I have no white spots yet. I do have tender nodes. I don't have a cough or runny nose. I don't have a fever and I'm 28... If I need to see my doctor am I ok to wait 2 more days, I have had a traumatic experience as a kid at the doctor and it gave me high anxiety and a phobia of the doctors office... But I have gained high trust in my family physician... I even got put on cipralex for a period of time to help control my anxiety because I used to almost faint at random... We stopped treatment and none of those episode have re occurred
Brief Answer:
You can wait
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As I explained in greater detail, you can wait. You don't have enough criteria for antibiotic treatment, so there is no need for an immediate visit.
I hope this is more clear now!
Kind Regards!
You can wait
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As I explained in greater detail, you can wait. You don't have enough criteria for antibiotic treatment, so there is no need for an immediate visit.
I hope this is more clear now!
Kind 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. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
