What Causes Sore Throat, Severe Pain, Fever And Difficulty In Swallowing?

Brief Answer:
Upper respiratory infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,

Sore throat,101F fever with heavy pain and difficulty in swallowing could be because of upper respiratory infection (pharyngitis or tonsillitis if they are not removed or laryngitis or epiglotitis) but should be evaluated further by clinical examination of throat and some routine blood tests.

However,majority of cases throat pain are due to viral infection, but in some cases it can also be related to bacterial infection,commonly streptococcal which needs to be rule out first.

So,If I would have your treating doctor,I would like to differentiate the cause through routine blood counts (CBC with differential counts,ESR) and throat examination with pharyngoscopy to rule out infective (especially bacterial) causes.

Therefore it would be advisable to see the doctor (preferably an ENT specialist) who will take complete medical history including history of sensitivity to antibiotics with thoroughly clinical examination of your throat and may order some routine blood works as I mentioned.

You might require,

1) Antibiotics from which quinolones (levofloxacin 500 mg) would be preferred (to prevent super infection if cause is viral) with,

2) Analgesic and anti-pyretic (paracetamol) with anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) combination (brand name:combiflam) two times daily which is available over the counter.

3) Antihistamines like cetrizine 10 mg twice daily if you have a dry cough.

4) Nebulization with steam inhalation 2 to 3 times a day.

5) Start warm salt water gargles which will also helpful for symptomatic relief.

6) Avoid cold water or any other cold products like ice-cream or soft drink because doing so, may cause further inflammation in throat.

For antibiotics, you will need a prescription from some local doctor or ENT specialist and rest of other medicines will be available over the counter.

With this medications,you will start improvement in 2 to 3 days.

Hope this will help you,feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Thanks and Regards,

Dr.SandipKabra

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