Acute Pharyngitis, Chronic

I have been seen by the doctor for Acute Pharyngitis on 4 occasions within the past year, one of which took more than 2 weeks to cure. I was living in Shanghai, China, known for poor air, and blamed it on the environment.

I have moved to Queensland, Australia, on the coast, and have been here for 3 weeks now. It has only been 6 weeks since I was diagnosed with Acute Pharyngitis, given many herbal treatments, and taking rest as directed. My white blood cells were low, and the blood test showed other indicating factors that my immune system was in poor shape. I was put on Metronidazole which did quickly help to clear up the swelling and pain and others caused by what must have been an infection in the throat.

My current symptoms include pain and swelling of lymph nodes, primarily on the left side. Pressure in the left ear, with extreme discomfort leading to pain. Difficulty swallowing, discomfort swallowing. There is obvious swelling in the throat, however no spots nor any lesions. I have some thick nasal discharge, pale yellow or darker sometimes, but no runny nose which I recently recovered from the last occurrence.

I am quite confident acute pharyngitis is a correct diagnosis, and have sought medical assistance. The concern I would like addressed by professionals who have encountered this as a chronic problem is how to improve my immune system, or how to eliminate the cause for chronic occurrences.

Most recently I admit to smoking clove cigarettes, something I do so rarely you could say on ave of 3 times/year, and which normally cause no problems. I have also been under copious amounts of stress relating to career and home as I have moved to a new country with residence in question and my new career path unsure. A recent problem with insomnia and depressed appetite has appeared.

However, despite all of these, getting a recurrence of acute pharyngitis is becoming a concern. Many people deal with similar and heavier stress, and are even addicted smokers, yet do not get this 'disease'. I would like to take steps to ensure I am not subject to repetitive bouts, especially when I am doing my best to take care of myself. Please advise what possible causes I should check to eliminate them as culprits, in addition to immune building recipes or exercises I can take to help eliminate a chronic problem.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

You have got to stop smokeing PERIOD. It amazes me that people can say I don't feel good, but have a cigarete in their hand at the same time.

It is a domino effect, you smoke, you inflame tissue, inflamation (inflammation) equals swelling, swelling closses of the eustachean tube, that eventually causes Otitis Media (OME) AKA ear infection. It iritates the mucus lining in the throat, sinuses etc. They become inflamed, beging to create more mucus, a love nest for bacteria.... it just keeps building.

Stress, that is not going to help at all either.  You would be amazed at how many people swear they are going through Acute Retrovirus Syndrome, (Pre cursor to HIV). Things like nausea, headaches, lack of sleep, night sweats, loss of apetitie and a ton of other things....  all thought to be ARS when the reality is, it is stress induced and has nothing to do with HIV.  

Not to say that it is all in your head. I am just telling you that stress compounds the problem.

Shanghai....  now that is a great place, I imagine Aus. is too.

[Hollie628]

Thank you, but I don't think I find that really helpful, as I did get the prior occurrences without any smoking preceding the event.

I'm not an advocate of smoking, and agree it is harmful. However, I'm not convinced that is the root of the problem.

Thank you for the ARS information, as that is something new that I haven't researched much on. I'm not a hypochondriac, and appreciate all new information that doesn't allow my mind to go wild.