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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Long Term Sore Throat
Answered by
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Long Term Sore Throat
by rdog, Dec 11, 2001 12:00AM
About 5 or 6 weeks ago I went to the Dr. for a REALLY itchy throat and I was also congested. He gave me a prescription of Zithromax (Z-pack) and some anti-histamine for sneezing. The congestion went away after a week or so, but I still have a sore throat. It’s not a terribly sore, but it is nagging nevertheless. The second, apparently related issue, is that of I can taste something in my breath/lungs when I exhale. It’s not all the time, only when I think about it and get a little fixated on it. The final symptom appears to be something to do with my ears. Sometimes I can feel a slight sensation in my ear canal, which leads me to believe I may have a slight ear infection. The last two symptoms don’t really bother me that much, as it is the sore throat I’d like to get rid of. I started using a vaporizer, drink fluid all day, and even started gargling with warm salt water, but it’s still there. Any ideas? Tonsillitis? Ear Infection? Remedies? Thanks...
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 17, 2001 12:00AM
, Dec 17, 2001 12:00AM
It is difficult to know for sure what is going on. There are several possibilities that should be considered:
1. You have a sinus infection, which is causing drainage to go down your throat. This can give you all the symptoms you are describing. You would need a sinus x-ray or CAT scan to make the diagnosis.
2. You could be having inflammation secondary to the infection treated by the Zithromax that has not resolved. This, too, could give you the symptoms you describe. This could be treated with inhaled nasal steroids.
3. You could be having allergic symptoms that have nothing to do with an infection. A nasal smear and perhaps further allergic evaluation might help make this diagnosis. However, inhaled nasal steroids would help with this, as well.
Good luck
1. You have a sinus infection, which is causing drainage to go down your throat. This can give you all the symptoms you are describing. You would need a sinus x-ray or CAT scan to make the diagnosis.
2. You could be having inflammation secondary to the infection treated by the Zithromax that has not resolved. This, too, could give you the symptoms you describe. This could be treated with inhaled nasal steroids.
3. You could be having allergic symptoms that have nothing to do with an infection. A nasal smear and perhaps further allergic evaluation might help make this diagnosis. However, inhaled nasal steroids would help with this, as well.
Good luck
Have you gone back to your doctor and talked to him/her about your continuing symptoms? What does he/she say? Zithromax doesn't always clear up all infections and 5+ weeks is a bit long for a sore throat. M-a-n-y things are possible, including an unresolved infection, allergies causing post-nasal drip, gastroesophogeal reflux disease, to name a few. You need to work with your doctor to figure out why you are still having a sore throat and other symptoms & keep in touch with their office until your symptoms clear. Wishing you the best of luck!
Aloha,
Starion--in HI