Question: Hi, I am XXXXXXX origin currently in UK. I was diagnosed with active Pulmonary TB in XXXXXXX 2016 and I was given standard four drugs treatment. All went fine for two months but suddenly I started coughing up blood with mucus. This did not happen before starting the treatment. I was feeling sore throat at that time and was confused whether it was from throat or lungs. The quantity of blood was not much. Only couple of drops but thick, similar to phlegm consistency. I was worried but doctor here said it can occur and is coming from lungs. Since then I was feeling sore throat on and off. Bleeding stopped after a week and did not occur for one month. Again it started two weeks ago and lasted one week. Again very small quantity. Now I feel more sore throat. Looking into mirror I can see it is red. One week before I noticed one white pus like small lump near right tonsil area. It remained for a week and now disappeared but I still have sore throat. I do not have breathing or swallowing difficulty. Actually throat feels normal when eating. I also noticed some wheezing sound when I take deep breath in sudden fashion. Occasionally I feel little discomfort in my ears. I am confused what this sore throat could be and why it has been for long time? Why ear pain on and off? My other doctor gave me two courses of Amoxicillin during last four months but no real improvement. I am worried. Please suggest what should I do and is this some serious thing? I have not lost weight. I am not coughing that much. Is sore throat related to TB or something different? Please reply.

Hi Dr Bhavsar, its nice to hear from you. You know my history well. We had been chatting throughout this TB thing.

I have been to my TB doctor and he said that due to infection such as TB, inflammation could occur in lungs (bronchi etc) and it is not unusual to have small amount of blood in sputum. Dr was not too much concerned as it was occasional appearance and small amount. He did x-ray and was happy with it. So no extra medicines or treatment for blood in sputum. By the way it has stopped now. It lasted 4-5 days only and was in small quantity with sputum. One ENT doctor here on HCM suggested it could be bronchial carcinoma or superadded infection. I was scared. Is this a possibility?

Regarding throat, I have ENT appointment tomorrow and let's see what other doctor say about it. The white pus like lump has gone now but still sore throat. In mirror back of mouth looks very red and somewhat bruised. Throat feels better than two weeks ago. Amoxicillin did not help on two courses. My tonsils are not swollen but uvula looks little enlarged and touching back of tongue. Not regularly but occasionally I feel reflux kind of symptoms (heartburn, something stuck in throat etc).

If it was throat infection, should amoxicillin have cleared it? What other medicines can be tried?
why sometimes pain/discomfort in ears?
Could this be serious such as Cancer?? I am worried.

Awaiting your reply.
Regards.