Is Sore throat a Bacterial Infection or a Virus? Posted: 06-08-06 09:47am
Six weeks ago I became ill with a sore
throat and fever. It was difficult to
swallow and it looked like I had a swollen
tonsil with flesh-colored bumps on the
right side and like my soft pallete was
covering part of the throat on the left.
Upon looking at my throat, my GP
prescribed an antibiotic for strep. After
taking it for 10 days, my throat still
hurt and I was given another 10-day
antibiotic. When that didn't work, I was
tested for strep and mono. Both tests came
back negative, and he recommended I see an
ENT.
I made an appointment, but in the interim,
still wasn't feeling better so I saw
another GP who prescribed a steriod for
the swelling.
This didn't help either, but when I
finally saw the ENT he looked at my throat
and said that my swollen tonsil looked
like it was left over from a virus and the
other side of my throat looked like an
effect from sleeping with my mouth open
and snoring.
But I still have a sore throat and
difficutly swallowing! What kind of virus
would cause these symptoms for six weeks?
And why did I never notice the soft
pallete before this?
Do you think I need a second opinion?
Also, I read online that HPV (a virus that
is linked to cervical cancer) may also be
linked to cancer of the orthopharnyx. I
had pre-cancerous cervical cells removed
about six years ago. Should I be concerned
about cancer? Or should I trust my ENT
that it is nothing?
Thank you.
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A1072 Posted: 06-14-06 10:06am
HPV can be connected to cervical cancer,
but not to pharyngeal cancer. You can
request a microbiological smear of the
throat because another bacteria (other
than Streptococcus) can be causing your
symptoms. When a bacterium is isolated, a
proper antibiotic can be prescribed. If no
bacterium is isolated, then it is probably
a virus that is causing the sore throat.
I that case, you can try to treat it with
a non-steroid anti-inflammatory analgesic
(paracetamol, aspirin) and vitamin C. A
local throat toilette with a local
antiseptic (f.ex. providone iodum) is also
recommended for treatment in such cases.
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