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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat And Fever Along With Nasal Congestion In An Elderly Person
Question: I am a 77-year old male with CAD (5 stents) and have a sore throat without fever but a little nasal congestion especially each morning. Have had the throat problem just over two weeks. The local doctor gave me a drug called Azithromycin (a 6 pack for just 3 days) without asking about my allergies, which he has on my record. I am allergic to Erythromycin and Amoxicillin. The doc did not test for whether it is viral or bacterial. Another doctor gave me Carbocisteine for 4 days treatment. It is only a decongestion. I then read Worst Pills Best Pills (a pharmaceutical drug company watchdog NPO and they say that Azithromycin "may increase the risk of cardiovascular death", quoting a New England Journal of Medicine published article. As a CAD patient, I am of course concerned about this news and have not taken either medication yet. What drug if any would you recommend in place of the Azithromycin?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern concern, I would explain that Azithromicin may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia.
From the other hand, considering that you are allergic to erithromycin, a crossed allergic reaction to Azithromicin may occur.
In my opinion, it would be better specify the type of infection before starting an antibiotic.
For this reason it is important performing a throat bacterial culture coupled with antibiogram, in order to identify the proper medical treatment.
Meanwhile, I would recommend using an oral antiseptic daily like a throat sort.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern concern, I would explain that Azithromicin may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia.
From the other hand, considering that you are allergic to erithromycin, a crossed allergic reaction to Azithromicin may occur.
In my opinion, it would be better specify the type of infection before starting an antibiotic.
For this reason it is important performing a throat bacterial culture coupled with antibiogram, in order to identify the proper medical treatment.
Meanwhile, I would recommend using an oral antiseptic daily like a throat sort.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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