nurses, can you help settle the argument?

[mamita]

I have a sore throat with sometimes ear pain. no, it hasn't stopped me from doing my usual. it just hurts like heck. hub nagged..nagged...and nagged some more for me to make a doc appt. isn't it true that most sore throats (no fever, no chest congestion, not even a cough) is a viral thing you just have to let run it's course? therefore, paying $120.00 to say howdy to the doc, since he wouldn't prescribe anything, would be a bit silly just yet? applying heat helps the ear, and I'd know if it were some massive infection in the middle ear. (and still if not bacterial, I'd be just paying to say hi to the doc)

he's due to call soon. can I have some back-up? thoughts? he's sweet to worry, but sometimes the cooties just come...........then they go. lol

[Jokarva]

I only go to the Dr for a sore throat if I suspect strep (red tonsils, white spots) - and before I do go I gargle the heck out of it with salt water and do some warm nasal rinses to see if it will resolve. Many times ear pain is from the pressure in your ears, not infection.

IF you start running a fever or if it doesn't resolve/gets worse then a visit might be in order....but I'm with you, I don't run to the Dr for anything I think will just run it's course.

[mamita]

I don't have white spots, nor tonsils. it is evil, worse in the morning. (I think that's what upsets him so. I won't go into gorey detail...but it's gross for a spell) I tend to not worry unless there is a high fever. he's calling around 2 to nag again. lol

[mrstillery09]

I do not normally go to the doctor for a sore throat. If it gets hard to breathe, eat or drink, or when the pain reaches a point where I'm pretty miserable then I go to the doctor to rule out something more serious. With that said, about 3 years ago I had a very bad sore throat. My tonsils were nearly touching, I was having problems breathing when I was laying on my side, and was just miserable. I went to the doctor and they refused to give me an antibiotic! I'd say you are totally fine unless it gets more serious.

[pamda]

I am having the same this..throat hurts like heck, ear hurts, feels pluged up and when I swallow it hurts worse. When I try to swallow when eating, some foods hurt the gland in front of my ear.....It is driving me nuts

[Irish Pixie]

I've had the same thing since right after Christmas and my throat still hurts at times. My granddaughter has it now, has been to the Dr. and it's viral. However, you have to watch for secondary bacterial infection in your sinuses and ears.

[luvrulz]

I have had a sore throat, draining sinuses, coughing, ear ache and more....This is my 3rd bout of it. I finally went to the doctor for my check up for something else, and she gave me a z pack. What I had will not clear up by itself and this has been 2 wks this time. She said, "Take the pills..."

And just so you know, I never really felt sick, just annoyed that all of this has gone on and on. It hasn't really stopped me from doing anything, and it was much worse in the morning.....and I coughed all night long. Terrible and hope it won't come back!

[Cyngbaeld]

Drink, drink, drink. Water, tea, juice, no sodas, easy on the coffee. Could be a salivary gland, sinus or plugged E tube. You need to stay very hydrated. Gargle with salt or vinegar. If no fever or serious swelling, or discharge from ears, I wouldn't bother with doctor.

[emdeengee]

You don't say how long this has gone on.

[freegal]

I had the same sore throat/earache thing on and off since October. I had to resort to antibiotics for 10 days to get rid of it and then 7 more days of herbal remedy to boost my immune system. Even now it threatens to come back. I rarely get sick but this flu has been nasty. Now I'm taking extra D3 and drinking lots of water. You might be getting a secondary infection that could take a round of antibiotics to get rid of it.

[Narshalla]

I'd also like to suggest that it might be an allergy acting up, especially if you have a more modern HVAC system and not a wood stove or radiator system. I would suggest looking at your filters, if that's the system you have, and changing them if you can.

If not, a humidifier with a bit of essential oil or Vicks vapor rub might help, too.

[TJN66]

Is the crud you are coughing up clear, yellow or green? If it is not clear then that is a sign of infection. You can have an inner ear infection and not know it due to the pressure from the filled sinus cavities. It also depends on how long you have had it. You may need antibiotics to kick it out. (RN for 17 years, specializing in Oncology.)

[Grandmotherbear]

Secondary. Infections can be more devastating than the original infection
White or clear thin. Mucus= allergy. White thick= viral colors bacterial generally speaking. Brown = old blood. I am with those who suggest Vic. Original not knockoff. Contains oil of thyme which is antiseptic. Also salt water gargles + nasal flushes. I recently had a severe sore throat from a sudden gush of post nasal Niagara - origin unknown
Allmy throat clearing left me feeling like knives stabbing my throat. Honey-1-2 tablespoons was very soothe +honey is also antiseptic

[chickenista]

I agree with Narshalla.
An irritated throat can easily be caused by irritated nasal passages.
Yep.. every winter for me and almost always has been. (though it seems to have gotten better as I age.)

But I always have a bit of post nasal drip in the winters. Every single winter from about October until steady spring. And it makes my throat irritated.
You can take decongestants for it, but I don't bother. Why would I want to be on them all winter. I am not a big fan of OTC or prescriptions. Plus.. they just dry it up which irritates it all the more.
I know it is me and the way I roll.
I am not sick, it is not viral. It's just post nasal drip.

[danarutan]

How long have you had it?
With the sore throat worse in am sounds like sinus drainage.
Try a sinus rinse --- I have prevented a lot of sinus infections with this.
Hot lemon tea. Drink lots of fluids.
Load up on vit c.
If it lasts longer then a wk or gets worse everyday see a doctor.
( nurse for 22 yrs)

[Helena]

But, yet again, why take chances with your health.

[SageLady]

How long has this been going on? If more then a few days you probably need an antibiotic to get rid of a secondary infection.
Also, just because it doesn't look or act like Strep, doesn't mean it is not Strep which can be dangerous if not treated...
Strep symptoms can vary widely from person to person. My DD's whole family is recovering from it and all had symptoms ranging from very mild to severe. Yet they all tested positive for Strep. And not everyone has white spots in their throat!
Depending on how long this has been going on - you might want to see the doctor, mamita.
And hope you feel better real soon!

[Joshie]

How long have you had the sore throat? If it's been more than two weeks or so it's time to see the doctor. Call the doctor's office. They should have a protocol that will tell them what to recommend based upon your symptoms. It sounds as if your throat hurts really bad, especially since your throat pain is radiating to your ears.

If you've been sick for weeks you need to see the doc. As SageLady said, you could well have a secondary bacterial infection. Strep throat doesn't always present itself with white spots. Heck, I've had strep throat quite a few times and I've never had white spots and rarely had a fever. As a kid, my siblings were sick with a very sore throat. My mom just had the doc do throat cultures on all of us even though I wasn't sick at all. The ones with sore throats didn't have strep; I did.

If it's bad enough for your husband to notice, nag, and spend the money then I think it's bad enough to see your health care provider. Asking nurses questions like this isn't necessarily a good thing. We're terrible patients and often ignore out own symptoms.

[SueMc]

I recently had a painful sore throat and associated ear ache. It really hurt when I swallowed. My ears hurt the most during the night and first thing in the morning. There was clear mucus. I was in Belize at the time and everything was blooming so I think it was allergies.
I went to the kitchen at the lodge we were at and asked for salt so I could gargle. Instead one of the guys in the kitchen mixed me up a big dose of honey and a bunch of fresh lime juice. It burned the first few times I took a spoon full but definately helped the problem.

[mamita]

thanks so much everyone! last night I slept sitting upright in my recliner. wow, what a difference this morning. laying flat in bed seemed to give me that choking sensation in the AM, which made me sick, then had my ear throbbing for a few hours. heat on that side of my head is also amazing to relieve pain. I'm feeling a little more human this morning. it's been a week, which isn't long I guess for riding something out. just seems like forever when you feel like doodie. I don't even have a headache, which since I do have allergy problems is a common morning thing for me. no post nasal dripping going on, all is clear, as I said no congestion (as if it is going to my chest. been there, and that IS a doc visit) I do think it's just one of those viral cooties that makes you feel miserable, but will pass. if it gets worse over the weekend, then I'll make a doc appt. Monday. I never go to the doc unless it's truly a necessity. not just for cost factor, I just don't believe in it. besides...there are people there way more sick than I am. lol who wants that?!