Recurrent Severe Strep Throat. How To Get It Cured?

Posted on Tue, 5 Nov 2013

Question: I have recurrent ( yearly) severe strep type throat and want to try to prevent as it is debilitating.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get examined for nasal disease and reflux

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam ,
Recurrent throat irritation could be because of of two things--
1. nasal allergies / disease like blockage,discharge etc , as the nasal discharge fall back in throat and irritates it.
You need to consult your ENT specialist ,if you have such complaints or have phlegm throat , to get examined and get done CT scan nose with plain coronal views limited cuts, if required to rule out any disease in nose and paranasal sinuses
2. Secondly, Take care of reflux (ie acidity,heart burn,belching) It is one of the reason for recurrent throat irritation , it does not matter you feel heart burn acidity or not.
At old age the junction between the food pipe and stomach becomes loose because of poor muscle tone so chances of reflux are more.
Consult your doctor for Antacid and antireflux medication
Take precautions--
Keep head end of bed elevated.
Avoid alcohol, Smoking
Do brisk walking daily
Go for walk after dinner
Avoid spicy food
Avoid late night coffee

Get well soon
If in doubt do reply

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Sharma (13 hours later)

It had been diagnosed as strep throat

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow the previous advice

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Do not worry for the throat swab report.
Even if i get my throat swab done for culture there will be streptococcus and staphylococcus growth.
The important thing is that you have irritation and we need to find the cause .
And even if there is throat infection then we have to see that whether it is the nasal dripping in throat causing infections.
Throat infections/irritation can come from : up -back of nose, down -stomach and in front - mouth.
You can use gargles like listerine or hexidene.
In doubt do reply

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Sharma (14 hours later)

I used listerine daily, this infection occurs every year between sept thru Dec.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
get examined by your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If it occurs every year at fixed season then you must get your nose checked .
After examination if your doctor feels any need for treatment then take it.
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