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What Causes Sore Throat, Left Ear Ache, Sinus Pain And Eye Drainage?
Question: Hello, I have had symptoms x 11 days. Began with sore throat, then progressed to left ear ache. Went to doctor who said ear was very red with fluid. She gave me Zithromax 500mg x 3 days if it did not improve. The ear pain improved, then quickly developed sinus pain, eye drainage etc. Now, the ear back is back on left with muffled hearing and painful left tonsil with swallowing x 3 days. I have had cdiff in past so we were trying to avoid it but I'm trying to determine when to give in and take them. The past 3 days symptoms are persistent and not changing at all. (Tonsil pain and left ear ache (mild) with muffled hearing.
Brief Answer:
I suggest you take them
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
So... you've got otitis and perhaps also sinusitis with symptoms lasting for almost a couple of weeks. I would suggest taking the antibiotic since the risk for clostridial infection is not very high with azitrhomycin and also because the persistent ear symptoms may cause trouble.
You might find helpful to rinse your nostrils with normal saline and perhaps use a nasal spray with corticosteroids. Whether decongestants help or not is ambiguous.
If you don't see any improvement within the next 24-72 hours then perhaps choosing another antibiotic might help.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further information, please let me know.
Kind Regards!
I suggest you take them
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
So... you've got otitis and perhaps also sinusitis with symptoms lasting for almost a couple of weeks. I would suggest taking the antibiotic since the risk for clostridial infection is not very high with azitrhomycin and also because the persistent ear symptoms may cause trouble.
You might find helpful to rinse your nostrils with normal saline and perhaps use a nasal spray with corticosteroids. Whether decongestants help or not is ambiguous.
If you don't see any improvement within the next 24-72 hours then perhaps choosing another antibiotic might help.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further information, please let me know.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you. I think I will begin them tonight. Do you think zithromax 500 x 3 days is effective for this? Or should I turn it into a zpak and do the normal zpak dosing? (250mg bid x 1 day, then 250mg daily x 4 days) I have been rinsing but will look into a nasal spray. I'm a nurse and I feel like I know enough to make myself anxious about this!
Brief Answer:
500mg of azithromycin is OK for otitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I suggested azithromycin in my previous answer because you were concerned about clostridium.
Although azithromycin might be a good first choice for an otitis, I would suggest a more potent antibiotic that's also effective for sinusitis. Amoxicillin clavulanate 1gr x 2 is the best choice, in my opinion. The risk for clostridium difficile infection is increased with amoxicillin-clavulanate though.
Kind Regards!
500mg of azithromycin is OK for otitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I suggested azithromycin in my previous answer because you were concerned about clostridium.
Although azithromycin might be a good first choice for an otitis, I would suggest a more potent antibiotic that's also effective for sinusitis. Amoxicillin clavulanate 1gr x 2 is the best choice, in my opinion. The risk for clostridium difficile infection is increased with amoxicillin-clavulanate though.
Kind 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. Prasad
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