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What Causes White Colored Tongue Post Recovery From A Throat Infection?
Why is my tongue white?
I'm a 59 year old man who received a flu vaccine in October.
Six weeks ago I was congested, sleeping in a recliner for relief from coughing, experiencing thick phlegm (mostly clear, sometimes yellow), body aches, fever and chills. I self medicated. Symptoms mostly cleared.
Four weeks ago at a routine medical appointment, my Doctor prescribed a z-pac antibiotic for a throat infection. Symptoms cleared.
Symptoms returned six days ago. Body aches, fever, chills, congestion, sore throat, thick phlegm. Phlegm is clear, yellow, or sometimes when I cough greenish grey.
Yesterday, I started another antibiotic, levofloxacin. I'm eating flavored yogurt, I'll change to unflavored today. I gargle with warm saltwater and I brush my tongue.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Tom
Thu, 5 Jan 2017
Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
As per your query white coating on tongue when taking antibiotics like Levofloxacin can be most probably due to yeast infection known as oral thrush and is caused by candida albicans fungus. Antibiotics disturbs the good bacteria present in the oral cavity along with harmful ones and it causes growth of opportunistic organisms like yeast leading to Infection.
You should consult an oral phisycian and get evaluated and in case if thrush is confirmed as the cause he can advise you to gargle with Nystatin mouthwash, suck on anti-fungal lozenges and take more of probiotics like Yoghurt and garlic..If it does not improve in 15 days oral anti-fungals like Fluconazole or Itraconazole can be advised.
You should drink plenty of water as thrush can cause dry mouth. Avoid antimicrobial mouthwash. Maintain a good oral hygiene.
Hope this information helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thanks and regards,
Dr. Honey Nandwani Arora
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
As per your query white coating on tongue when taking antibiotics like Levofloxacin can be most probably due to yeast infection known as oral thrush and is caused by candida albicans fungus. Antibiotics disturbs the good bacteria present in the oral cavity along with harmful ones and it causes growth of opportunistic organisms like yeast leading to Infection.
You should consult an oral phisycian and get evaluated and in case if thrush is confirmed as the cause he can advise you to gargle with Nystatin mouthwash, suck on anti-fungal lozenges and take more of probiotics like Yoghurt and garlic..If it does not improve in 15 days oral anti-fungals like Fluconazole or Itraconazole can be advised.
You should drink plenty of water as thrush can cause dry mouth. Avoid antimicrobial mouthwash. Maintain a good oral hygiene.
Hope this information helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thanks and regards,
Dr. Honey Nandwani Arora
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