Medical Questions and Answers


Username

Password

Email us questions not medically
related

Medical Questions

General Signs and Symptoms

Signs And Symptom Medical Question ( 386 )

Other Medical Question ( 527 )

Specific Diseases of the ...

Cardiovascular System ( 81 )

Dermatologic System (Skin) ( 127 )

Ear, Nose, And Throat ( 88 )

Endocrine System (Thyroid, Adrenal Glands, Etc.) ( 32 )

Gastrointestinal System ( 103 )

Gynecologic System ( 285 )

Hematologic System (Blood) ( 66 )

Musculoskeletal System ( 70 )

Neurologic System (Brain) ( 88 )

Ophthalmologic System (Eye) ( 39 )

Psyche (Psychiatric Conditions) ( 29 )

Renal System (Kidneys) ( 43 )

Respiratory System ( 32 )

z Sex Questions

Your Question

I'm a 22 year old male. My question is in relation to severely swollen tonsils and glands in my throat which has been persistent for around 6 weeks now following a severe strep infection. As far as I can remember I've never really had any significant problems with my tonsils or with sore throats before now. On 17th November this year I suddenly came down with pretty severe strep throat. I went to a GP who prescribed some antibiotics (Biravid/Ofloxacin - 3 day course). Unfortunately I was due to travel on the 18th so wasn't able to see my regular GP for a few days. I began taking the antibiotics but they didn't really have any effect so I went to my normal GP on the 23rd November. By that stage my symptoms had somewhat subsided but I still had enlarged tonsils and my throat felt uncomfortable. I was put on a 5-day course of penicillin (Amoxycillin) which seemed to clear up the infection but unfortunately it returned two days later. I was then put on a 7-day course of Chlorom (chlarythramyacin) (sp?), Two days after I finished this course of medication, my throat still didn't feel right and I had phlegm and a bad taste in the back of my throat. When I returned to my GP he said the oral antibiotics didn't seem to be working and suggested I be admitted to hospital for intravenous medication. I was admitted on 11th December and was put on a higher dosage of antibiotics to be administered every 6 hours along with IV steroids. I was then discharged on 14th December and given another 7-day course of antibiotics (Augmentin 625mg 3 times daily for 7 days). I finished these last Monday 21st December and by the 25th I started to see the same symptoms returning. My tonsils have become very enlarged and my throat feels uncomfortable and I'm constantly tired.

I should say that my tonsils have never really been very sore over the course of this infection apart from maybe the first few days. It's really just been an uncomfortable feeling and I seem to sleep more than usual (regularly 10-12 hours ) and even still I find it difficult to wake up and get out of bed and I am still tired during the day and just lack the energy to do anything. I realise this may be due to my body trying to fight infection etc.. I'm not sure. When I was hospitalized, they ran blood tests and according to the cert I received I had a white blood cell count of 18.4 (18400 I guess) which the ENT consultant said was quite high. Also, neither my GP nor the hospital did a throat culture - but I was told I did not have Glandular fever by the doctor in the hospital.

I'm not sure what to do now as my tonsils are still very swollen and it's affecting my speech and my sleep. I also am experiencing acid reflux when i'm lying in bed at night especially, though i'm not sure if that is related to the swollen tonsils.

I am returning to the ENT specialist on January 14th for a consultation when he is going to recommend whether I should get a tonsillectomy. I would prefer not to get surgery but understand if there is no other option and I believe this is what the ENT specialist will recommend as he already mentioned it when I was in hospital.

I would really appreciate any advice you can offer and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Please Login to Answer the Question
LOGIN

Addiction Treatment Research, Rehabs and Programs |