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Child Having Sore Throat, Fever, Cough, Vomiting And Loss Of Voice. Is This Flu Or Strep?
Question: is it cold, flu or strep?.Hi. My 14 year old daughter has a severe
sore throat that has reduced her to tears. Symptoms began about 24 hours ago starting with a XXXXXXX cough. Then cane sore throat, fever (not overly high...99-100), loss of voice and, just an hour ago, vomiting.
My question is how do I know its just a bad cold vs. flu or something else? When should I call the doctor and/or panic (chuckle)?
sore throat that has reduced her to tears. Symptoms began about 24 hours ago starting with a XXXXXXX cough. Then cane sore throat, fever (not overly high...99-100), loss of voice and, just an hour ago, vomiting.
My question is how do I know its just a bad cold vs. flu or something else? When should I call the doctor and/or panic (chuckle)?
Hi
Thanks for posting the query
After going through the history I do feel your daughter is suffering from either acute pharyngitis or laryngitis (epiglottitis). It will require a thorough examination of the throat and nose to confirm the diagnosis.
Vomiting could be due to accumulation of thick phlegm in the throat or swollen epiglottis.
Either of the diagnosis, the treatment remains the same. She will require a course of potent antibiotics such as a combination of amoxycillin + clavulanic acid or cefuroxime to treat the same. An antipyretic (paracetamol) and an analgesic (ibuprofen) will be sufficient enough to treat the fever and the pain. Also, encourage your child to drink plenty of warm water and do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day.
Do not worry! With the above medications she should be alright. If you notice any breathing difficulty rush to the emergency for a steroid shot.
Hope this answers your query; revert back to me if you have any further queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thanks for posting the query
After going through the history I do feel your daughter is suffering from either acute pharyngitis or laryngitis (epiglottitis). It will require a thorough examination of the throat and nose to confirm the diagnosis.
Vomiting could be due to accumulation of thick phlegm in the throat or swollen epiglottis.
Either of the diagnosis, the treatment remains the same. She will require a course of potent antibiotics such as a combination of amoxycillin + clavulanic acid or cefuroxime to treat the same. An antipyretic (paracetamol) and an analgesic (ibuprofen) will be sufficient enough to treat the fever and the pain. Also, encourage your child to drink plenty of warm water and do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day.
Do not worry! With the above medications she should be alright. If you notice any breathing difficulty rush to the emergency for a steroid shot.
Hope this answers your query; revert back to me if you have any further queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2542 Questions
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