Sudden Onset of Painful White Lesions in My Throat: Seeking Insights
A few days ago, I began experiencing an exceedingly painful and swollen throat with white patches. This sudden onset coincided with my battle against a COVID infection, occurring almost overnight after just a three-hour sleep. Up until that point, my throat had been perfectly fine. I underwent a rapid strep test, which returned negative results. My physician prescribed a swish treatment with Nystatin, which I've been using for two days now, but unfortunately, I've yet to notice any improvements. From what I gather, if this is indeed candidiasis and the white patches do not easily scrape off (which they don’t in my case), it may be considered a hyperplastic type, indicating a chronic condition. This diagnosis raises questions for me, particularly because the condition manifested so abruptly and has only persisted for a few days. I am eager to hear other perspectives or suggestions on this matter.
Answers (1)
3/18/2025, 11:10:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a painful throat condition that has emerged rapidly alongside your COVID infection. The presence of white patches, the pain, and the swelling, especially in the context of your recent illness, are understandably concerning. Here’s a structured response addressing your situation:
Main Points:
- Possible causes for your throat symptoms include oral thrush (candidiasis), post-viral irritation, or even other infections.
- Your current treatment with Nystatin may take time to show improvement, and assessing symptoms helps guide further action.
Explanation:
Given your recent COVID infection and the negative strep test result, it's wise to consider potential secondary infections or complications. The painful white lesions you describe could indeed be caused by candidiasis, especially if you've been experiencing changes in your immune system or oral flora due to illness. It's also possible that the patches are related to ongoing irritation from your upper respiratory infection.
Since you mentioned that the lesions do not scrape off easily, this can align with a fungal infection, but you aren't seeing improvement with the prescribed treatment yet, which requires some attention.
Next Steps:
-
Continue Nystatin: It's essential to finish the course as prescribed, but track any changes in symptoms. Sometimes it can take several days to see improvement.
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Increase Hydration: Stay well-hydrated and consider warm fluids. This can help soothe your throat and prevent dryness, which might worsen pain.
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Pain Management: Consider over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if you're able to take them. This can help reduce throat pain and inflammation.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily record of your symptoms over the next few days. Note any progression, new lesions, or systemic symptoms like fever, which might indicate a need for further evaluation.
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Consult Follow-Up if Needed: If you see no improvement with Nystatin in 4-7 days, or if your symptoms worsen (such as difficulty swallowing or breathing), revisit your healthcare provider for possible reevaluation or alternative treatments.
It's completely normal to seek reassurance in this situation, so remember to take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further questions or if your symptoms change.
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