Question: Hi there,

I've had a sore throat for a few days now. It started very slowly and then became worse gradually. Monday and tuesday it was not painful but that is when it all started. Yesterday and today the pain is more, although it is not getting worse right now, it is steady. It feels sore/painful only when I swallow and I feel it right at my attoms apple. Not the entire throat, the pain is very isolated right around the attoms apple. Also, that same area burns a little when I take liquid medication and only that area. I compare it to when I get a cut on my hand and use medication on it, that area burns a little. I can eat and drink without difficulty but it still hurts. Usually liquids soothe my throat and I feel a little better If I am drinking something, like water, tea, or coffee. The pain isn't severe.
I went to my doctor and he checked my throat. According to him, it is probably a viral infection and the most I can do is take medication to try and control the symptoms while it lasts. Still, he prescribed me a nasal spray because when he checked my nostrils, he said it is extremely congested and this may contribute to throat problems. Also, he prescribed amoxcillian but told me to wait a few days before i start it because if it is viral then there is no point of taking anti biotics. There are no spots in my throat, he checked for swelling of lymph nodes and also did a physical test by feeling the neck all around, he said it is only red from the inside, but nothing more. I am coughing a little as well somemtimes, the cough comes after I take a deep breathe, then as I exhale, I cough. This does not happen every time, just sometimes. My sister was sick for a week before this with the exact same problem - throat and cough. Only difference is that her cough was much worse. I stayed with her for this time and I think i got sick because of her. My symptoms started around the same time her symptoms started getting a little better. Pain medication works somewhat but only temporarily. throat soothing candy makes it a little better but i need to take it constantly. When i suck on this candy, saliva is thicker then usual. The doctor also prescribed a cough syrup that has codeine in it. I took it this morning, it made the pain a little less and made me very drowsy. I went to sleep for about 3 hours after taking. Any idea if this could be a bacterial infection? should I start the anti biotics or will that just be a waste of money? The nasal congestion, does this play a part with the throat?