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What Causes Dark Yellow Thick Pus From Throat And Sore Throat?
Question: Hi, i did inquire about this a few days ago, but accidentally closed that conversation. I have another question I hope it's OK to ask.
Last Wednesday I developed a very very sore throat and found it difficult to swallow or talk. I saw my GP. She saw a red inflamed tonsils with streaks of pus hanging down the back of the throat. No fever. Lymph nodes in neck only slightly enlarged. Rapid strep test came back negative and now the longer-term test test come back negative as well. She prescribed a Z pack antibiotic.
My throat remains very swollen and painful. I noticed first thing this morning, upon waking, A large amount of pus in the back of my throat. I forced a cough and was able to bring up a great deal of dark yellow thick pus (so sorry!- i know- gross), The consistency of toothpaste almost. I don't quite understand where all this pus is coming from. I am not congested. It is January in XXXXXXX and everything is dry and cold, so I occasionally get a little post nasal drip, but nothing like this. Could the pus be coming from infected tonsils?
I recognize that this could be viral, and likely antibiotic will do no good.
I am taking ibuprofen, hot tea with honey, occasional saltwater rinse. I don't quite know what else to do. I guess I am a little anxious that this has not improved yet and would like to know two things
-
1- is this pus from infected tonsils? I am not coughing, and if I do it just seems to bring up what has just come down. I have had bouts of bronchitis before, but nothing like this. My chest actually feels fine.
2- do I really just need to be more patient? How long does it take for a typical viral infection to resolve? And can they be this serious?
I admit I tend to veer to the anxious side of things. Just looking for a little reassurance and guidance.
Thank you for your kind attention
XXXX
Last Wednesday I developed a very very sore throat and found it difficult to swallow or talk. I saw my GP. She saw a red inflamed tonsils with streaks of pus hanging down the back of the throat. No fever. Lymph nodes in neck only slightly enlarged. Rapid strep test came back negative and now the longer-term test test come back negative as well. She prescribed a Z pack antibiotic.
My throat remains very swollen and painful. I noticed first thing this morning, upon waking, A large amount of pus in the back of my throat. I forced a cough and was able to bring up a great deal of dark yellow thick pus (so sorry!- i know- gross), The consistency of toothpaste almost. I don't quite understand where all this pus is coming from. I am not congested. It is January in XXXXXXX and everything is dry and cold, so I occasionally get a little post nasal drip, but nothing like this. Could the pus be coming from infected tonsils?
I recognize that this could be viral, and likely antibiotic will do no good.
I am taking ibuprofen, hot tea with honey, occasional saltwater rinse. I don't quite know what else to do. I guess I am a little anxious that this has not improved yet and would like to know two things
-
1- is this pus from infected tonsils? I am not coughing, and if I do it just seems to bring up what has just come down. I have had bouts of bronchitis before, but nothing like this. My chest actually feels fine.
2- do I really just need to be more patient? How long does it take for a typical viral infection to resolve? And can they be this serious?
I admit I tend to veer to the anxious side of things. Just looking for a little reassurance and guidance.
Thank you for your kind attention
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Post Nasal Drip.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. I am answering this based on your present and previous questions. I have gone through these in detail.
2. The dark yellow thick pus is usually from a Post-Nasal Drip (PND) and the change in colour (especially in the morning) usually signifies that your body is fighting an infection successfully. Besides the nasal, sinus and throat secretions, part of this PND consists of dead white blood cells and sometimes a small amount of blood from the delicate lymphoid tissue in the throat. In other words this is common while recovering from a severe Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI).
3. I always recommend amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (such as Augmentin) as a better alternative to azithromycin (such as Z-pack) in such situations unless you are sensitive to penicillins. Oral antibiotics usually take 48-72 hours to give results.
4. Most viral infections tend to last longer than say a couple of decades ago. Now a days, most viral infections take a few weeks to resolve. In fact the dark yellow or greenish colour of the PND signifies a primary or secondary bacterial infection. Since it is not strep throat, there is no cause for worry.
5. Other causes such as bronchitis and a recurrence of cancer are unlikely to be present. Continued follow up is advised. Add a mucolytic and continue home remedies.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Post Nasal Drip.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. I am answering this based on your present and previous questions. I have gone through these in detail.
2. The dark yellow thick pus is usually from a Post-Nasal Drip (PND) and the change in colour (especially in the morning) usually signifies that your body is fighting an infection successfully. Besides the nasal, sinus and throat secretions, part of this PND consists of dead white blood cells and sometimes a small amount of blood from the delicate lymphoid tissue in the throat. In other words this is common while recovering from a severe Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI).
3. I always recommend amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (such as Augmentin) as a better alternative to azithromycin (such as Z-pack) in such situations unless you are sensitive to penicillins. Oral antibiotics usually take 48-72 hours to give results.
4. Most viral infections tend to last longer than say a couple of decades ago. Now a days, most viral infections take a few weeks to resolve. In fact the dark yellow or greenish colour of the PND signifies a primary or secondary bacterial infection. Since it is not strep throat, there is no cause for worry.
5. Other causes such as bronchitis and a recurrence of cancer are unlikely to be present. Continued follow up is advised. Add a mucolytic and continue home remedies.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr.
First, I wanted to thank you for your detailed response. It helped.
One week later, i am much improved. Tonsils not as swollen and green pus seems to gone as well. I am, however, still bothered by a "lump in the throat" or globus sensation-- seems to be a rough sharp spot on right side of throat. ( this tonsil was the more swollen of the two). Is this common post a throat infection? Anything that can help?
I have occasional reflux and definitely am under a great deal of personal stress- i know this can contribute. This is stoking my anxiety though- in the past, ive never had this lump in throat feeling post infection.
Thank you!
First, I wanted to thank you for your detailed response. It helped.
One week later, i am much improved. Tonsils not as swollen and green pus seems to gone as well. I am, however, still bothered by a "lump in the throat" or globus sensation-- seems to be a rough sharp spot on right side of throat. ( this tonsil was the more swollen of the two). Is this common post a throat infection? Anything that can help?
I have occasional reflux and definitely am under a great deal of personal stress- i know this can contribute. This is stoking my anxiety though- in the past, ive never had this lump in throat feeling post infection.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
This is common after a sever sore throat.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Good to hear that you are feeling better.
2. Thus lump in throat or globus sensation is common after a severe sore throat and signifies residual inflammation, usually of the normal lymphoid tissue in the throat. This feeling worsens with anxiety. PND and reflux.
3. A Vidoelaryngoscopy (VL'Scopy) is recommended. If this tissue is identified, treatment should also include a short course of steroids, anti-inflammatory, anti-reflux treatment and medicated gargles.
4. This may take a while longer, but will eventually settle down.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
This is common after a sever sore throat.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Good to hear that you are feeling better.
2. Thus lump in throat or globus sensation is common after a severe sore throat and signifies residual inflammation, usually of the normal lymphoid tissue in the throat. This feeling worsens with anxiety. PND and reflux.
3. A Vidoelaryngoscopy (VL'Scopy) is recommended. If this tissue is identified, treatment should also include a short course of steroids, anti-inflammatory, anti-reflux treatment and medicated gargles.
4. This may take a while longer, but will eventually settle down.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
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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