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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sore Throat And Cough
Question: I have these symptoms: Sore throat started 2.5 weeks ago. Sore throat comes and goes and moves from left side only to right side only and goes from mild to very sore on an off. Annoying cough for about a week but only slight cough now. Very slight congestion. My left eye is watery. No fever but maybe a slight one initially. No aches and pains. Sore throat went away but came back worse yest. morning. Don't want to go to Dr. Just want to confirm this will run it's course.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Without an exam, I am limited in being able to tell you specifically what is going on, but I can provide you with information about continuous sore throat for this long.
1. A sore throat and cough combo, if you aren't feeling sick overall, can be from acid reflux. Usually the throat is mildly and diffusely red. An acid blocker such as Zantac 150 mg twice a day can help, along with other precautions for GERD (avoid alcohol, caffeine, peppermint, citrus and acidic and highly spiced foods; don't eat within a few hours of going to bed; eat smaller meals; head of bed elevated on blocks).
2. Allergies can cause post nasal drainage and cough. If you see any correlation with specific activities (exposures to molds, dusts, certain environments), consider an antihistmine such as Zyrtec.
3. A sinus infection can cause both, also due to post nasal drainage. When looking in the throat, usually the drainage looks a bit purulent. A nasal steroid spray such as Flonase can help. However, if the symptoms have been going on for more than 3 weeks, then we usually prescribe an antibiotic. Usually sinus infections cause a lot of pressure in the sinuses, and you didn't mention that.
4. Strep throat. Usually the pain does not migrate around your throat, although it is possible. And usually there is a fever. However, some people can have strep throat without a fever. Recommendation is to go in to have a throat swab. If negative, then no worries regarding strep throat. Usually there is pus on the tonsils, and swollen neck glands with strep throat.
So - given this information, you should triage regarding whether to go in accordingly. I am most concerned, of course, about the possibility of strep. Untreated strep throat can cause long term complications, most notably rheumatic heart disease. While I am cautious about the overuse of antibiotics, I will tell you it is important to treat strep throat. And it is important to diagnose, first, that it is strep.
If you are opposed to going in for an appointment, perhaps you can call your doctor's office and just ask the nurse if he/she would be willing to do a rapid strep test.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Without an exam, I am limited in being able to tell you specifically what is going on, but I can provide you with information about continuous sore throat for this long.
1. A sore throat and cough combo, if you aren't feeling sick overall, can be from acid reflux. Usually the throat is mildly and diffusely red. An acid blocker such as Zantac 150 mg twice a day can help, along with other precautions for GERD (avoid alcohol, caffeine, peppermint, citrus and acidic and highly spiced foods; don't eat within a few hours of going to bed; eat smaller meals; head of bed elevated on blocks).
2. Allergies can cause post nasal drainage and cough. If you see any correlation with specific activities (exposures to molds, dusts, certain environments), consider an antihistmine such as Zyrtec.
3. A sinus infection can cause both, also due to post nasal drainage. When looking in the throat, usually the drainage looks a bit purulent. A nasal steroid spray such as Flonase can help. However, if the symptoms have been going on for more than 3 weeks, then we usually prescribe an antibiotic. Usually sinus infections cause a lot of pressure in the sinuses, and you didn't mention that.
4. Strep throat. Usually the pain does not migrate around your throat, although it is possible. And usually there is a fever. However, some people can have strep throat without a fever. Recommendation is to go in to have a throat swab. If negative, then no worries regarding strep throat. Usually there is pus on the tonsils, and swollen neck glands with strep throat.
So - given this information, you should triage regarding whether to go in accordingly. I am most concerned, of course, about the possibility of strep. Untreated strep throat can cause long term complications, most notably rheumatic heart disease. While I am cautious about the overuse of antibiotics, I will tell you it is important to treat strep throat. And it is important to diagnose, first, that it is strep.
If you are opposed to going in for an appointment, perhaps you can call your doctor's office and just ask the nurse if he/she would be willing to do a rapid strep test.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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
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