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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat And Painful Ear Along With Painful Tonsil

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Posted on Mon, 15 Dec 2014
Question: Hi, I had a sore throat 3 weeks ago and a dry cough. For the fast 5 days, I had pain in the right side of my throat and my ear hurts. Today, I touch my tonsil and felt a hard lump inside that's painful. Thank you!
I don't have a hoarse voice but swallowing is a little uncomfortable.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Relapse of a sore throat.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. This seems to be a relapse of a sore throat, most likely viral.

2. The pain in the right side of the throat while swallowing is usually a tonsillitis and the lump is most likely to be an enlarged, tender lymph node.

3. The pain in the ear needs to be examined. If the ear examination is normal, this is a referred pain from the throat (common nerve supply). If the ear is inflamed, it is due to the spread of infection from the sore throat.

4. This situation requires a repeat throat examination and medication including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory mediation, anti-allergic medication, medicated mouth wash. You will require a prescription for these medications.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)
Hello,
Thanks for your prompt reply, Doc! My follow up question: My tonsillitis triggers when I ate plenty of sweet stuff like chocolate, is that normal? My right ear is sensitive to touch either ( like using a Q tip ). I have a pinched nerve in my neck, I don't know if that's the one causing the pain in my ear. I didn't take any medication for sore throat but I used mouth wash...and for mg cough I took mucinex.
I'm actually seeing my ENT doctor tomorrow. I'm just a little worried about the hard lump I felt. I just want to make sure it's nothing serious....because I don't drink and smoke( like never ). Thanks for making me feel better.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes , this is common but not normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, the sore throat / tonsillitis gets triggered when the throat is sensitive due to lymphoid tissue hypertrophy in the throat. When the inflamed lymphoid tissue ij the throat settles down, this sensitivity disappears. Allergy to these foodstuffs will not settle easily.

2. Do get your blood sugar levels checked.

3.. The ear has to be checked with an otoscope to confirm the diagnosis.

4. The pinched nerve in the neck is not likely to be the cause of the ear pain unless it is in the lower half, where the greater auricular nerve (C2) supplies sensation to the external ear (pinna).

5. You should get your throat, ear examined and start the medications mentioned in my previous answer. This will speed up your recovery.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (11 minutes later)
Hello,

My glucose was 89. I had it checked last month.
My last question Doc: Will the hard lump remains hard after it gets better?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Glucose level ok. Healing depends on the type of the lump.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. The random blood glucose level seems fine.

2. If the lump is a lymph node it will take time to settle. Lymph nodes reduce in size but they do not regress to their earlier non-palpable size after an episode of infection or inflammation. If the lump is an inflamed tonsil. it will settle down.

3. You may follow up here or directly at bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti

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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat And Painful Ear Along With Painful Tonsil

Brief Answer: Relapse of a sore throat. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. This seems to be a relapse of a sore throat, most likely viral. 2. The pain in the right side of the throat while swallowing is usually a tonsillitis and the lump is most likely to be an enlarged, tender lymph node. 3. The pain in the ear needs to be examined. If the ear examination is normal, this is a referred pain from the throat (common nerve supply). If the ear is inflamed, it is due to the spread of infection from the sore throat. 4. This situation requires a repeat throat examination and medication including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory mediation, anti-allergic medication, medicated mouth wash. You will require a prescription for these medications. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them. Regards.