Throat Pain Due to Infection
Q: I have on-and-off pain in my throat, next to my Adams apple. I went to the ER as I am currently unemployed. They gave me 40 penicillin VK 500 mg; I am in the 5th of the course. Some days it feels like it is helping and other days not. It started with a lump feeling. Then I got sick from being around with someone with a cold. After about a week, the spot started hurting while swallowing and chewing. To me it feels like an open sore. My larynx was sore to touch and seemed swollen, but that went away days ago. I’m 28 years old male. Any thoughts?
-By Craig
Reply :
Sounds like a throat infection. The picture is somewhat like this-
Inflammation of Affected Tissue
The area of the throat infected by a pathogen (virus or bacteria) gets inflamed. It appears red and swollen throughout. It is actually like an open sore. Inflammatory material containing WBCs (body’s defense soldiers produced to fight back infection) keep oozing out from this wound like lesion. This may lead to cough.
Also, as throat region is abundantly supplied with lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, tonsils, scattered lymphoid tissue), infections here are commonly accompanied with swollen lymphatic tissue. This may cause nodule like swelling anywhere in the throat.
Difficulty in chewing and swallowing may be attributed to any of these reasons, swollen and inflamed throat, or any swelled lymph tissue.
Do you have any hoarseness or change in your voice? If yes, it indicates the involvement of your vocal cord as well.
Your infection seems to be quite aggressive. You are rightly taking an antibiotic. We would suggest you to complete this antibiotic course. Hopefully, all your symptoms would subside gradually.
Few Home Care Tips
- Avoid spicy food for some time. Take food which soothe your throat like warm soups.
- Avoid alcohol for a few days. It corrodes our throat.
- You may try gargling with a pinch of salt in lukewarm water twice a day. This would speed up your recovery.
- Have plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system good.
Take Care,
Buddy M.D.
3 years ago, my tonsils was removed because it was infected. After that, I was fine, but after some period I started feeling some thing stuck on the right site of my throat and also salt on my throat, and also bad breath. I have been to the hospital and they use a machine to check and they saw nothing. Please can you help me with advice on what to do.
Don’t worry if they have checked you thoroughly with the machine.
It may be a thick mucous plug, or a lymph node. Gargle your throat routinely with slightly salted warm water. This would liquefy the something stuck in your throat.