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Severe sore throat for 5 weeks
Hi, I have already seen my primary provider 3 weeks ago and an ENT last week but still have some concerns about my throat issues. It all started back to 8 weeks ago when I engaged in sex (oral and vaginal) with a woman. 3 weeks later I began having a sore throat that I originally attributed to allergies. Then it became very severe for a week and then got some what better. I've also experienced a white tongue for at least 3 of the weeks. There's no sores on my tongue, it's just got this white layer that almost seems like it's in my tongue. I can temporarily make it better with my electric tooth brush. When I saw my primary provider at 3 weeks I tested negative for strep and she didn't believe I had mono because I didn't have swollen lymph nodes. She did prescribe me allergy pills to take every day, but they are clearly not working.
Now it is 5 weeks later (8 weeks since sexual encounter) and my throat is still extremely red. I also still have two red small bumps in the back of my throat next to each other. I haven't had any issues with obvious mucous or runny nose and no cough. Regardless, the ENT said these red bumps are normal for someone who's had such a throat problem. In addition to the red bumps, I have one large whitish sore directly on my uvula. It's more than just a bump, it looks like a perfectly circular raised thing of skin with possibly an indented center. It doesn't appear to have any open/exposed skin like a blister would and it's a little smaller than a dime. The ENT has said this is most likely a lesion from build up caused by mucous and it might have been there for a long time and I just didn't realize it until I started looking in my throat recently. She wants to remove it next week, but doesn't believe any of this is STD related. She thought it might be oral thrush and prescribed some prescription nasal spray and mouth wash to use for 10 days. I've used it for 4 days and haven't noticed any difference yet. She didn't want to prescribe any antibiotics in case it is indeed thrush.
While I trust and hope this isn't STD related based on my appointment with the ENT, and based on my partner claiming to have been tested for every STD including herpes and being negative, I would like a second opinion on what could be causing this. I am concerned because I have been in pain for 5 weeks and do not seem to be getting any better. Thanks in advance!
Now it is 5 weeks later (8 weeks since sexual encounter) and my throat is still extremely red. I also still have two red small bumps in the back of my throat next to each other. I haven't had any issues with obvious mucous or runny nose and no cough. Regardless, the ENT said these red bumps are normal for someone who's had such a throat problem. In addition to the red bumps, I have one large whitish sore directly on my uvula. It's more than just a bump, it looks like a perfectly circular raised thing of skin with possibly an indented center. It doesn't appear to have any open/exposed skin like a blister would and it's a little smaller than a dime. The ENT has said this is most likely a lesion from build up caused by mucous and it might have been there for a long time and I just didn't realize it until I started looking in my throat recently. She wants to remove it next week, but doesn't believe any of this is STD related. She thought it might be oral thrush and prescribed some prescription nasal spray and mouth wash to use for 10 days. I've used it for 4 days and haven't noticed any difference yet. She didn't want to prescribe any antibiotics in case it is indeed thrush.
While I trust and hope this isn't STD related based on my appointment with the ENT, and based on my partner claiming to have been tested for every STD including herpes and being negative, I would like a second opinion on what could be causing this. I am concerned because I have been in pain for 5 weeks and do not seem to be getting any better. Thanks in advance!
I have the same problem as the person above except I got blood shot eyes and weird sensations in my ears. I had a throat culture done for strep and ghonorrea (Sorry for the misspelling) I have had a blood test and I was negative on everything to include STD but I still have the white circle on my uvula the redness in my eyes has gone 2 months later. But I am still having throat problems. This does not make sense. I am going on 3 months and I am worried I am contagious?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.
The commonest pathogen (agent) causing throat infections is a group A Streptococcus bacteria. Besides this Group B Streptococcus, mycoplasma, neisseria and cornybacterium are known to cause throat infections. Other known pathogens causing infections of the throat are viral and yeast (candida).
The reason for elaborating about these pathogens is that the tests done and the therapy initiated vary for the listed pathogens. To begin with a throat swab is taken to see for streptococcus. If needed a throat culture will show the growth and the antibiotics to which the pathogens are most susceptible to. During culture it would be worthwhile to test for yeast infections also besides bacterial infections. Viral infections are by exclusion and do not need any antibiotic therapy unless there are super added infections. The antibiotic of choice for a streptococcal infection is penicillin.
Also, repeated strep throat infections are an indication for tonsillectomy, as the tonsils may harbor the infection which keeps flaring up, or they may develop new infections.
Discuss these options with your consulting doctor.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
The commonest pathogen (agent) causing throat infections is a group A Streptococcus bacteria. Besides this Group B Streptococcus, mycoplasma, neisseria and cornybacterium are known to cause throat infections. Other known pathogens causing infections of the throat are viral and yeast (candida).
The reason for elaborating about these pathogens is that the tests done and the therapy initiated vary for the listed pathogens. To begin with a throat swab is taken to see for streptococcus. If needed a throat culture will show the growth and the antibiotics to which the pathogens are most susceptible to. During culture it would be worthwhile to test for yeast infections also besides bacterial infections. Viral infections are by exclusion and do not need any antibiotic therapy unless there are super added infections. The antibiotic of choice for a streptococcal infection is penicillin.
Also, repeated strep throat infections are an indication for tonsillectomy, as the tonsils may harbor the infection which keeps flaring up, or they may develop new infections.
Discuss these options with your consulting doctor.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
I have a follow up next Wednesday with an ENT I have already seen twice. I was originally prescribed Nystatin and Fluticasone Propionate, but nothing has worked to this date. I am now going on 10 weeks of a severe sore throat that will not go away. I sleep with a humidifier, I drink an extremely large amount of water a day, I take extra vitamins, I am taking Culturelle and Acidophilus. My sore throat gets better at times, then gets worse again. It's a roller coaster. Over this past week, I have noticed I now have a lot of swollen lymph nodes all over my neck area. They are swollen all around my adams apple, under my jaw, and under my ears at the sides of my jaw. They do not cause pain, but do have a burning sensation after I press on them. They are also moveable.
Originally, about 8 weeks ago my first doctor told me they didn't think it was mono because I had no noticeable swollen lymph nodes. Could it take weeks for my lymph nodes to swell after my symptoms originally started? Would mono cause almost 3 months of sickness and sore throat? At the worst of my symptoms, I also experienced night sweats. What should I be doing when I have my follow up next Wednesday with my ENT? I plan on asking them to do a blood test for Mono, but is there anything else I should be asking them to check for? I am mentally and physically drained from this.
I am normally an extremely healthy person who works out often and eats right. I am also 29. Before this, I hardly ever have been sick with anything more than allergies. Coming on 3 months, I am very worried for my health and why I don't seem to be making ANY progress in becoming healthy again. Thanks in advance for any response.
Originally, about 8 weeks ago my first doctor told me they didn't think it was mono because I had no noticeable swollen lymph nodes. Could it take weeks for my lymph nodes to swell after my symptoms originally started? Would mono cause almost 3 months of sickness and sore throat? At the worst of my symptoms, I also experienced night sweats. What should I be doing when I have my follow up next Wednesday with my ENT? I plan on asking them to do a blood test for Mono, but is there anything else I should be asking them to check for? I am mentally and physically drained from this.
I am normally an extremely healthy person who works out often and eats right. I am also 29. Before this, I hardly ever have been sick with anything more than allergies. Coming on 3 months, I am very worried for my health and why I don't seem to be making ANY progress in becoming healthy again. Thanks in advance for any response.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.
Understand your predicament. But if you and your partner have tested negative for STDs it's unlikely that the throat infection is related to STDs. Most common cause for white patches is candidiaisis. It is usually caused by candida albicnas, which is a fungal infection. The white patches have a cottage cheese appearance. They can occur as a consequence to throat infection or sometimes steroid inhalers are known to promote their growth. Just give it time to settle down.
In the meantime you can try warm salt water gargles and betadine mouth washes. Avoid contact with people suffering from throat infections. Diet which is well balanced with adequate proteins and non-refined carbohydrates with plenty of fruits and vegetables will build up your immunity.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
Understand your predicament. But if you and your partner have tested negative for STDs it's unlikely that the throat infection is related to STDs. Most common cause for white patches is candidiaisis. It is usually caused by candida albicnas, which is a fungal infection. The white patches have a cottage cheese appearance. They can occur as a consequence to throat infection or sometimes steroid inhalers are known to promote their growth. Just give it time to settle down.
In the meantime you can try warm salt water gargles and betadine mouth washes. Avoid contact with people suffering from throat infections. Diet which is well balanced with adequate proteins and non-refined carbohydrates with plenty of fruits and vegetables will build up your immunity.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
One last bit of information. I was tested for STDs at 3.5 weeks and was negative for them all.
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