
What Is The Treatment For Severe Sore Throat After Sinusitis?

Question: What started out as a what I interpret to be slightly irritating post nasal drip quickly turned into congestion, swollen/painful glands, extreme pain in swallowing, tender ears, slight nausea/stomach pains, and pain extending from back of head through the neck, shoulder blades and continued through lower back. My body felt like it was on fire and went back and forth from sweating to chills. After two days of this, even though early still, I decided to go to an urgent care clinic. They tested me for strep. Negative. checked my ears and breathing but that was about all. I was advised to continue taking the Advil for sinus and congestion and drink plenty of fluids as I had a viral infection and what they called a subjective fever (they didn't take my temp). Later that day, I could feel something resting in the back of my throat. When it did appear, it looked like a thick, bloody ball of flesh that was a little larger than a quarter. At that point all of my previously mentioned symptoms did immediately reduce in severity but any have yet to disappear or show any sign of clearing up. Should I go see another doctor or is it really just a bad head cold like they said? Any advice or clarity would be greatly appreciated and I thank you so much for your time.
Brief Answer:
See a doc again
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your question. The negativity of a rapid strep test does not completely exclude a bacterial infection. My biggest concern now is that the "ball of flesh" in the back of the throat could represent a complication of a bad sore throat called a retropharyngeal abscess, or pus collection, that may need drainage and definitely antibiotics if this is the case.
You should be seen in urgent care as sson as possible.
Hope that helps, Happy Holidays,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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