Suggest Treatment For Severe Sore Throat

Posted on Thu, 20 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 Answered on

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a severe sore throat and I ache

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Questions for you to help me answer you better.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I'm sorry to hear this.

Can you please tell me:
1. What is your temperature? Do you have a fever?
2. Do you have chills?
3. Swollen neck glands?
4. Nasal/sinus congestion and drainage down your throat?
5. Cough - and is it productive?
6. Smoke cigarettes?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (11 minutes later)

1. temp - no fever
2. yes chills
3. swollen below ears
4. yes, both nasal & sinus congestion and drainage
5. yes cough, dry
6. no don't smoke

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please go in for throat swab.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information.

Given that the sore throat is severe, and that you have chills, and swollen glands, I strongly recommend that you go in to be seen (today or tonight) at an urgent care clinic and request a throat swab. You may have strep throat as it can cause this constellation of symptoms. Usually there is also a fever with strep, but not always.

I tend to be conservative about use of antibiotics, but if it is strep, you will need one. Also, given that you have diabetes and asthma, if you have a history of complications such as secondary bacterial respiratory infections following colds, having an antibiotic would be reasonable too.

I welcome you to let me know how you are doing after you are seen today/tonight.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar