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Suggest Treatment For Severe Sore Throat

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Posted on Thu, 16 Feb 2017
Question: I have had flu-like symptoms since Christmas and sore throat pain like strep throat. Saw doctor who felt it was viral. After 10 days, I was still sick and she put me on Bactrim. Nearing the end of the 10 days, my sore throats was so bad, I went to nurse at Walgreens for strep test and it was positive! She put me on Keflex (allergic to penicillin) and then on prednisone a few days later for severe throat pain. Now I am nearing end of Keflix and sore throat pain continues, severe! What should I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rudina Balliu (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Take omeprazole and check the throat for bacterial infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello ! Thank you for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your question and i can understand your concern.

There are 2 conditions that may be the cause of your throat pain: Streptococus infection and reflux( GERD).

I'll describe to you how to distinguish between them, as below :

If it's due to cause of infection you should be having fever, may be formation of puss in around your tonsils (white patches), muscle pain .. Normally the antibiotic should start to have the effect within 48 hours , if you don't feel better (the sore throat ) within 48 hours then antibiotic most likely is not going to work and you need to go for further evaluation and possible change of regimen of another generation of antibiotic (under strict supervision of your doctor only).

In this case, I would strongly suggest to go to a specialist (ENT in your case) for not only a simple swab test but also an antibiogram (to find out the right antibiotic that the bacteria is sensitive to).

-If you don't have fever , puss in your tonsils, the reason of the sore throat could be GERD. Reflux cause what we call posterior pharringytis ( inflamation of your pharrynx) . In this case you should start with the omeprazole and you will feel better at least after 3 days .

It's true that one of the side effect of this drug is osteoporosis but it usually happens after using for a long time . You can take H2 drugs : Ranitidine 150 mg twice/ day before food, if you want instead of the omeprazole .

You need to follow a healthy lifestyle : avoid caffeine , avoid alcohol, no smoking (if you do), no spicy food , no fried food , consume food with low fat, loose weight ( of you are overweight), eat small meals several times /day, eat dinner at least 2 hours before you go to bad .

Hope you find this answer helpful.
If you have any further clarifications , feel free to write me again, i will be happy to help .

Take Care !
Dr Balliu




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rudina Balliu (2 hours later)
So it is possible that the Keflix did not cover this type of strep? I continue to have nausea and mild fever which I have had all along with the horrible sore throats. Instead of changing the antibiotic, the nurse practitioner gave me prednisone which I am out of!
Also, can GERD cause a strep-type sore throat pain?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rudina Balliu (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi again !
Yes it's possible that Keflix did not cover that type of strep.The best choise is to change the antibiotic.As I wrote the antibiotic should work within first 48 hours , if not means that does not cover the bacteria .
GERD cause side throat but without fever cause it's not a bacterial infection ,reflux just irritate the pharrynx.
You should go to a local doctor so he /she can have a look of your throat , to do swab test and proper treatment according to the results .

You can use Antiinflammator :ibuprofen, Paracetamol for your fever ,if you are not allergic to these, ( do not drink hot liquids).

Take Care !
Dr Balliu
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rudina Balliu

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2015

Answered : 420 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Sore Throat

Brief Answer: Take omeprazole and check the throat for bacterial infection Detailed Answer: Hello ! Thank you for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone through your question and i can understand your concern. There are 2 conditions that may be the cause of your throat pain: Streptococus infection and reflux( GERD). I'll describe to you how to distinguish between them, as below : If it's due to cause of infection you should be having fever, may be formation of puss in around your tonsils (white patches), muscle pain .. Normally the antibiotic should start to have the effect within 48 hours , if you don't feel better (the sore throat ) within 48 hours then antibiotic most likely is not going to work and you need to go for further evaluation and possible change of regimen of another generation of antibiotic (under strict supervision of your doctor only). In this case, I would strongly suggest to go to a specialist (ENT in your case) for not only a simple swab test but also an antibiogram (to find out the right antibiotic that the bacteria is sensitive to). -If you don't have fever , puss in your tonsils, the reason of the sore throat could be GERD. Reflux cause what we call posterior pharringytis ( inflamation of your pharrynx) . In this case you should start with the omeprazole and you will feel better at least after 3 days . It's true that one of the side effect of this drug is osteoporosis but it usually happens after using for a long time . You can take H2 drugs : Ranitidine 150 mg twice/ day before food, if you want instead of the omeprazole . You need to follow a healthy lifestyle : avoid caffeine , avoid alcohol, no smoking (if you do), no spicy food , no fried food , consume food with low fat, loose weight ( of you are overweight), eat small meals several times /day, eat dinner at least 2 hours before you go to bad . Hope you find this answer helpful. If you have any further clarifications , feel free to write me again, i will be happy to help . Take Care ! Dr Balliu