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What Causes Sore Throat, Head Pressure With Drainage, Plugged Ears And Cough?
Question: I have had a very sore throat, some head pressure with a little drainage, ears feel plugged or like they need to pop some of the time, cough comes and goes. I have been taking over the counter musinex products for 2 weeks and sometimes it helps and it seems to be getting worse again. Throat pain is like it was when it first started 2 weeks ago, I can barley swallow anything.
Brief Answer:
Can be upper respiratory bacterial infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely due to upper respiratory tract bacterial infection. As it is already more than 1 week bacterial infection could be the reason most likely. So antibiotics will be required. I would suggest antibiotics like Azithromycin ( Z pack ) or Co-amoxiclav in my patients with such case. Z pack 500mg is usually given for 5 days as once daily regimen 1 hour before or 1 hour after food. If Co-amoxiclav then given twice daily for 5 days after food in dosage of 625mg (you need to have proper prescription by your local physician to get them)
Do you have yellowish discharge from nose?
Is there cough with yellowish sputum?
Is there sneezing?
Initially you can try warm saline gargle, taking chewing vitamin C, steam inhalation with inhalant capsules.
You can also take Advil allergy and congestion relief if nasal congestion and ear stuffiness is there. Throat lozenges like strepsils (prescription required) can be taken to get relief from throat pain also.
If there is no improvement then an ENT examination should be carried out by specialist to rule out problems like sinusitis and to manage it.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Can be upper respiratory bacterial infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely due to upper respiratory tract bacterial infection. As it is already more than 1 week bacterial infection could be the reason most likely. So antibiotics will be required. I would suggest antibiotics like Azithromycin ( Z pack ) or Co-amoxiclav in my patients with such case. Z pack 500mg is usually given for 5 days as once daily regimen 1 hour before or 1 hour after food. If Co-amoxiclav then given twice daily for 5 days after food in dosage of 625mg (you need to have proper prescription by your local physician to get them)
Do you have yellowish discharge from nose?
Is there cough with yellowish sputum?
Is there sneezing?
Initially you can try warm saline gargle, taking chewing vitamin C, steam inhalation with inhalant capsules.
You can also take Advil allergy and congestion relief if nasal congestion and ear stuffiness is there. Throat lozenges like strepsils (prescription required) can be taken to get relief from throat pain also.
If there is no improvement then an ENT examination should be carried out by specialist to rule out problems like sinusitis and to manage it.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
No discharge or sneezing
How do I get a z pack?
How do I get a z pack?
Brief Answer:
Then you can do the recommendations I mentioned.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up.
You can avoid antibiotic initially. Try with warm saline gargle , steam inhalation with inhalational capsules , taking chewable vitamin C and Advil allergy and congestion relief.
If there is no improvement in three days or worsening then you can go for antibiotics. Z pack (Zithromax) you can get it after prescriptions by your local physician.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
Then you can do the recommendations I mentioned.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.
Thank you for your follow up.
You can avoid antibiotic initially. Try with warm saline gargle , steam inhalation with inhalational capsules , taking chewable vitamin C and Advil allergy and congestion relief.
If there is no improvement in three days or worsening then you can go for antibiotics. Z pack (Zithromax) you can get it after prescriptions by your local physician.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.
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. Arnab Banerjee
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