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Suggest Treatment For Fever, Chills And Sore Throat With Difficulty In Swallowing
Question: Hello. I started yesterday with a sore throat with difficulty swallowing. It has continued today with additional symptoms of my voice coming and going, swollen lymph nodes in my throat, a 103.1° fever (Fahrenheit), and now also brown mucous draining down my throat, chills and body aches. I don't see any white spots on my throat. It's not really red but it does look irritated. Almost like small ulcers? I have enlarged tonsils under normal circumstances so I can't tell if they're any bigger than usual. Don't know if I should be seen or wait it out. What to look for. Don't have insurance. Suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Don't wait - go in for throat swab.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Given all of the symptoms, this sounds like either strep throat or flu (influenza). I am saying this because of the high fever, chills, and body aches.
You do need to be seen. A throat swab should be done for both strep and flu.
While an antibiotic won't help flu because it is caused by a virus, you should have an antibiotic if it is strep. Untreated strep pharyngitis can cause serious complications such as rheumatic heart disease.
So even if your tonsils aren't noticeably red and exuding pus, they need to be swabbed given the constellation of symptoms you described.
So don't wait. I know you don't have insurance, but if it is strep, it needs treating.
Don't wait - go in for throat swab.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Given all of the symptoms, this sounds like either strep throat or flu (influenza). I am saying this because of the high fever, chills, and body aches.
You do need to be seen. A throat swab should be done for both strep and flu.
While an antibiotic won't help flu because it is caused by a virus, you should have an antibiotic if it is strep. Untreated strep pharyngitis can cause serious complications such as rheumatic heart disease.
So even if your tonsils aren't noticeably red and exuding pus, they need to be swabbed given the constellation of symptoms you described.
So don't wait. I know you don't have insurance, but if it is strep, it needs treating.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Is there anything you can suggest I do to ease symptoms until I can be seen? My doctor office closes in a half hour. May not get in until tomorrow or Monday.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
You can try salt water gargles. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt, dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water, gargle and spit it out. You can do this frequently until you are seen. Don't gargle for a few hours before you go in to be seen as you want the secretions to be there for the test.
Also, continue the Tylenol, hot tea, hot soups, and honey. Looks like you are doing most of these already. You can alternatively use ibuprofen (Advil), instead of Tylenol, but be sure to have some food in your stomach before taking it.
Warm compresses on your lymph nodes can be soothing.
Keep warm with extra blankets.
Keep up with your fluids as given your high fever, it is easy to become dehydrated.
And rest, of course, although given the high fever and body aches, I doubt that you feel like doing anything other than resting anyway.
Information
Detailed Answer:
You can try salt water gargles. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt, dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water, gargle and spit it out. You can do this frequently until you are seen. Don't gargle for a few hours before you go in to be seen as you want the secretions to be there for the test.
Also, continue the Tylenol, hot tea, hot soups, and honey. Looks like you are doing most of these already. You can alternatively use ibuprofen (Advil), instead of Tylenol, but be sure to have some food in your stomach before taking it.
Warm compresses on your lymph nodes can be soothing.
Keep warm with extra blankets.
Keep up with your fluids as given your high fever, it is easy to become dehydrated.
And rest, of course, although given the high fever and body aches, I doubt that you feel like doing anything other than resting anyway.
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
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