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What Causes Extremely Painful Throat, Swollen Uvula And Redness On Tongue?
Question: Hello, I woke up this morning with an extremely painful throat. I could not swallow and it felt like something was stuck in my throat. I looked in the mirror and my uvula was extremely swollen to the point that it essentially rested on my tongue. In order to take a picture of it to send my husband back in the United States, I had to use my little finger to hold my tongue down and even then I still could not see the entire uvula. It was extremely swollen and red and there is a little bit of white on it but not pustule or pus sack white.
A few hours have passed by as I've debated going to urgent care. I decided to take another look and while there is still some swelling and redness, it has gone down significantly. It no longer "rests" on my tongue. There is still pain, however, certainly not as much (it is hard to tell or gauge my pain due to the fact that I took to 100 mg tramadol that I am prescribed by my doctor for pain). But swallowing is a little easier. And a little bit of white remains on the uvula. My tonsils or glands, I'm not sure exactly what those are on either side of the uvula, are clearly swollen as well.
I'm living in Germany and I'm entirely alone without any family or friends and I'm not sure what to do. Do you think this is something I can take care of at home simply by gargling salt and water? Or would you recommend I'd be seen by a doctor? What antibiotics be beneficial here? Anything you can offer for advice is very much appreciated. Thank you.
A few hours have passed by as I've debated going to urgent care. I decided to take another look and while there is still some swelling and redness, it has gone down significantly. It no longer "rests" on my tongue. There is still pain, however, certainly not as much (it is hard to tell or gauge my pain due to the fact that I took to 100 mg tramadol that I am prescribed by my doctor for pain). But swallowing is a little easier. And a little bit of white remains on the uvula. My tonsils or glands, I'm not sure exactly what those are on either side of the uvula, are clearly swollen as well.
I'm living in Germany and I'm entirely alone without any family or friends and I'm not sure what to do. Do you think this is something I can take care of at home simply by gargling salt and water? Or would you recommend I'd be seen by a doctor? What antibiotics be beneficial here? Anything you can offer for advice is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
It is better to get this examined.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The most common reasons for the swelling of the uvula include throat infections (Pharyngitis) due to viruses, bacteria (including Strep throat), allergy, angioedema, drug induced, sleep apnea and so on.
2. It seems to be settling down, however it is better to get this examined as a throat swab can be sent for examination, blood tests can be done and most importantly, the uvula and throat can be directly examined.
3. The choice of medication would include antibiotics (including prevention of secondary bacterial infections in case of viral infections), anti-allergic medication including steroids (under antibiotic cover), medicated gargles, in addition to the tramadol that you have taken. You will need a prescription for these medication, hence it is better to visit a physician.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
It is better to get this examined.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The most common reasons for the swelling of the uvula include throat infections (Pharyngitis) due to viruses, bacteria (including Strep throat), allergy, angioedema, drug induced, sleep apnea and so on.
2. It seems to be settling down, however it is better to get this examined as a throat swab can be sent for examination, blood tests can be done and most importantly, the uvula and throat can be directly examined.
3. The choice of medication would include antibiotics (including prevention of secondary bacterial infections in case of viral infections), anti-allergic medication including steroids (under antibiotic cover), medicated gargles, in addition to the tramadol that you have taken. You will need a prescription for these medication, hence it is better to visit a physician.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your very helpful reply. I just started gargling with saltwater and have been resting all day. If I wake up feeling the way I did today and my uvula and lymph nodes swollen, I will have to go to urgent care. Is that what you would recommend? It's 1:30 AM here in Germany so I'm unable to do much at this point. I do have a few more pictures I just took to compare. It's definitely not as bad as the first pictures but a little more inflamed down the second ones taken a few hours ago. So, I believe I might see a pustule ok one side (The left side while looking at the picture)Thank you so much for your help I look forward to your reply.
Brief Answer:
You should get this examined.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back and adding images.
1. There is severe congestion of the uvula and the entire throat.
2. The swelling of the uvula seems less according to what you described, however it still is visible.
3. The pustules like area may be the beginning of an ulceration.
4. You should get this examined though not necessarily in an ER.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
You should get this examined.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back and adding images.
1. There is severe congestion of the uvula and the entire throat.
2. The swelling of the uvula seems less according to what you described, however it still is visible.
3. The pustules like area may be the beginning of an ulceration.
4. You should get this examined though not necessarily in an ER.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hello again!
The reason I said urgent care is because I live in Germany and I do not have a regular doctor. So urgent care is where I go anytime I need to be seen by a doctor. It's inexpensive and relatively easy.
I woke up this morning and I feel awful. I do have severe congestion, constantly blow my nose, my voice has physically changed, and my throat still hurts.
I am at an updated photos from this morning. It is nowhere near as swollen as it was yesterday morning but, nonetheless, it is still swollen and painful. Urgent care does not open until 5 PM here, it is currently 1 PM. Do you advise I go in as soon as they open? What do you think this could be?
The reason I said urgent care is because I live in Germany and I do not have a regular doctor. So urgent care is where I go anytime I need to be seen by a doctor. It's inexpensive and relatively easy.
I woke up this morning and I feel awful. I do have severe congestion, constantly blow my nose, my voice has physically changed, and my throat still hurts.
I am at an updated photos from this morning. It is nowhere near as swollen as it was yesterday morning but, nonetheless, it is still swollen and painful. Urgent care does not open until 5 PM here, it is currently 1 PM. Do you advise I go in as soon as they open? What do you think this could be?
Brief Answer:
Visit the nearest ER.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. There is definitely more congestion though the swelling appears less.
2. You should go to the nearest ER.
3. You seem to have developed a laryngitis in addition.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Visit the nearest ER.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. There is definitely more congestion though the swelling appears less.
2. You should go to the nearest ER.
3. You seem to have developed a laryngitis in addition.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Good morning!
Today is day 2.5 with this virus…
It's still red but only minor swelling. At this point I mainly have a lot of congestion.
Question: am I contagious? My work requires me to interview elderly people those who are in their mid-80s to mid 90s. I want to make sure I am not putting them in harms way considering their age.
Thank you so much.
Today is day 2.5 with this virus…
It's still red but only minor swelling. At this point I mainly have a lot of congestion.
Question: am I contagious? My work requires me to interview elderly people those who are in their mid-80s to mid 90s. I want to make sure I am not putting them in harms way considering their age.
Thank you so much.
Brief Answer:
You should reschedule your interviews with the elderly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. You should reschedule your interviews with the elderly.
2. Usually, viral transmission can occur a day prior to symptoms and thereafter up to a day or two after all symptoms have subsided.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
You should reschedule your interviews with the elderly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. You should reschedule your interviews with the elderly.
2. Usually, viral transmission can occur a day prior to symptoms and thereafter up to a day or two after all symptoms have subsided.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello!
Im feeling extremely rundown and I'm sweating profusely even though it's really cold outside. I think I'm going to go pick up a thermometer right now. What is considered a fever for an adult? Thank you for your continued help & if you have any more advice on how to feel vetter faster, especially before my friday flight home to the USA from Germany, please let me know! Danke
Im feeling extremely rundown and I'm sweating profusely even though it's really cold outside. I think I'm going to go pick up a thermometer right now. What is considered a fever for an adult? Thank you for your continued help & if you have any more advice on how to feel vetter faster, especially before my friday flight home to the USA from Germany, please let me know! Danke
Brief Answer:
37 °C (98.6 °F). Medication will help settle this down quickly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Normal body temperature is 37 °C (98.6 °F). This is usually clearly marked on the thermometer.
2. Ideally an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory medication and steroids under antibiotic cover with medicated gargles will settle this down quickly.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
37 °C (98.6 °F). Medication will help settle this down quickly.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Normal body temperature is 37 °C (98.6 °F). This is usually clearly marked on the thermometer.
2. Ideally an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory medication and steroids under antibiotic cover with medicated gargles will settle this down quickly.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My body temp earely deviates drom 97.6. Does that mean a lower temp could mean a fever for me?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Armpit temperature is a degree lower than oral temperature.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Temperature taken in the armpit is about one degree lower than normal body temperature.
2. Temperature taken in the floor of the mouth under the tongue will indicate correct body temperature.
3. Body temperature will vary slightly due to may reasons such as environmental, hormonal, diurnal (time of the day) and so on. This is normal.
4. A lower temperature will not mean a fever for you.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Armpit temperature is a degree lower than oral temperature.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Temperature taken in the armpit is about one degree lower than normal body temperature.
2. Temperature taken in the floor of the mouth under the tongue will indicate correct body temperature.
3. Body temperature will vary slightly due to may reasons such as environmental, hormonal, diurnal (time of the day) and so on. This is normal.
4. A lower temperature will not mean a fever for you.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am at 98.0 right now so i should be ok.
Why am i swearing profusely when im freezing?
Thank you again for your help and pati
Why am i swearing profusely when im freezing?
Thank you again for your help and pati
Brief Answer:
That's part of the immune response to the pharyngitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. That's probably due to the pharyngitis.
2. The immune response of the body causes such symptoms.
3. This is normal and will settle down after you recover.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
That's part of the immune response to the pharyngitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. That's probably due to the pharyngitis.
2. The immune response of the body causes such symptoms.
3. This is normal and will settle down after you recover.
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
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