Struggles with Persistent Throat Infection – Seeking Guidance!
I’m looking for thoughts or insights from anyone who has faced a similar situation or possesses relevant knowledge. (24 m) On May 10th, I experienced a severe episode beginning with a high fever reaching 102 degrees. I was nauseated, vomiting every half hour for five hours, with an incredibly sore and swollen throat. The following day, I sought urgent medical assistance, where I was prescribed a 10-day course of Augmentin at 500mg. Tests ruled out strep A and B but revealed a positive result for Beta-hemolytic streptococci. Although my fever subsided within 12 hours of antibiotic treatment, the swelling and discomfort in my throat persisted. By the ninth day, I returned to urgent care, and the physician adjusted my prescription to a stronger dose of Augmentin at 875mg for an additional week. After finishing this new course, I was disappointed to still experience throat pain and had noticeable exudates. Consequently, I underwent another throat culture test, which identified moderate growth of two undetermined strains of “normal flora” streptococci and significant growth of Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae). Sadly, I continued to feel quite unwell, presenting symptoms reminiscent of the flu. I also had tests for EBV and mono, where mono tested negative, but I did receive a positive result for EBV antibodies without any sign of an active infection. The doctor prescribed a 10-day regimen of cefdinir, which yielded improvement within three days, as the exudates began to diminish. Nonetheless, I never felt completely healed, and my neck lymph nodes remained swollen. On the ninth day, despite not feeling fully recovered, I was granted a four-day antibiotic extension and a three-day course of prednisone. The prednisone significantly aided my recovery, allowing me to feel normal for three days. However, shortly after finishing the course, I reverted to feeling off, leading me back to urgent care for a 1000mg rocephin injection, combined with another seven days of cefdinir until my ENT appointment this Thursday. More than a month and a half has passed, and I still feel quite poorly, with a sense of incomplete recovery. A recent CT scan suggested swollen tissue and scarring near my tonsils, but assured me there were no abscesses or any alarming issues. This ordeal has disrupted the start of my summer, causing me to cancel birthday plans and struggle to maintain a regular lifestyle. I’m battling relentless fatigue, neck stiffness, throat discomfort, and mild headaches. I’m genuinely worried, having lost over 10 pounds during this time and experiencing spikes in my blood pressure due to stress. Is there anyone who can provide assistance or advice? I’d greatly appreciate it!
Answers (1)
6/22/2025, 6:01:20 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve been through a challenging journey with your throat infection, and it’s understandable to feel worried given the prolonged nature of your symptoms and the impact on your daily life. You’ve shown resilience in managing your health, but it’s crucial now to address your concerns and support your recovery effectively.
Summary of Main Points:
- You are experiencing prolonged symptoms following multiple antibiotic treatments for a throat infection.
- Symptoms include throat discomfort, fatigue, neck stiffness, and mild headaches.
- You have undergone various tests with some improvements but are still feeling unwell.
Explanation: Throat infections, especially those caused by bacterial agents like Haemophilus influenzae, can sometimes lead to persistent symptoms, even after antibiotic treatment. The presence of swelling, discomfort, and lingering fatigue indicates that your body may still be recovering from the infection or that there could be other underlying factors influencing your health.
Given your situation, the fatigue and weight loss you’re experiencing are concerning red flags that deserve attention. It's also understandable that the emotional toll of these ongoing symptoms would cause stress and anxiety.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Continue to Rest and Hydrate: Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of fluids. This is essential for your body to recover.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms and any new developments. Note the intensity of your throat pain, fatigue levels, and any changes in your appetite or overall well-being. This information will be helpful for your ENT appointment.
-
Consider a Nutritional Plan: Since you've lost weight, focus on small, nutrient-dense meals that are easy to swallow, such as smoothies, soups, or soft foods that won’t irritate your throat. Sometimes, a registered dietitian can provide tailored advice to ensure you're meeting your dietary needs during recovery.
-
Manage Stress: Engage in stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques to help alleviate anxiety and promote healing.
-
Communicate with Your Doctor: Prepare a detailed summary of your symptoms, treatments, and concerns for your upcoming ENT appointment. This will facilitate a deeper discussion and help in planning further evaluations or treatment strategies.
-
Follow-Up on Blood Pressure Monitoring: Given your spikes in blood pressure due to stress, consider monitoring your blood pressure daily. If it remains elevated, discuss with your healthcare provider for appropriate management.
-
Explore Additional Support: If you continue experiencing fatigue and other lingering symptoms, following up with a specialist (such as an infectious disease expert or a rheumatologist) may be beneficial to rule out any chronic underlying conditions.
Take care and be kind to yourself during this recovery process. Let me know if you have further questions or need more specific advice!
Related Questions
Micronodules Detected in Lung
Hello, I recently underwent a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan to assess arterial plaque, and I was pleased to receive a favorable score of 7.75. However, the report highlighted the presence of several clustered micronodules located in the right upper lung, accompanied by adjacent ground-glass opacities. I am a 60-year-old male, 6 feet tall and weigh 190 pounds. I do not currently take any medications and generally enjoy excellent health. There is a family history of heart disease on my father's side. Additionally, I am a non-smoker, apart from occasional use of cannabis, and consume alcohol very infrequently. Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide!
Experiencing Widespread Muscle Weakness
I’m a 36-year-old male and have recently been facing a troubling situation where the muscles throughout my body seem to be losing function—including my eyelids. The trouble began in May 2021 when I lifted a heavy garbage can with my right arm in a shrugging action. Following that, I felt a combination of pain and weakness concentrated in my right shoulder blade, as well as my shoulder and collarbone. Soon after, I noticed my shoulder began to pop and click. Afterward, I consulted with an orthopedic specialist who conducted x-rays on both of my shoulders. He informed me that everything appeared normal and dismissed the popping sounds as inconsequential. I also mentioned experiencing neck pain, but he indicated that addressing neck issues wasn’t his area of expertise. He diagnosed me with bilateral shoulder and neck discomfort and recommended physical therapy. The day after my appointment, I attempted to adjust my position in my desk chair by leaning on the left armrest, putting my forearm under the weight of my body. Suddenly, my shoulder jolted, and I felt a sharp weakness in my arm, accompanied by popping and clicking noises, similar to what happened with my right arm. I reached out to the orthopedic office to inform them about this incident, but the physician assistant who responded said the doctor would not see me again simply due to how I was sitting, and suggested I attend physical therapy first. She mentioned that if I continued to experience weakness, a neurologist might be necessary. Feeling concerned, I returned to my primary care physician for a follow-up appointment and recounted my experience. He didn’t appear worried, and my blood tests returned normal results. During the summer of 2021, I began physical therapy where the therapist diagnosed me with strains in my trapezius and rhomboid muscles. The subsequent therapy sessions consisted of painful exercises and stretches, yet I observed little to no improvement in terms of strength or stability. Activities like using the arm bike and weight machine were excruciating, and I frequently inquired whether my symptoms could be attributed to a tear or nerve damage, but the therapist insisted that was not the case and dismissed my concerns. After my tenth session, I decided it was best not to return. In April 2022, I visited a neurologist. I struggled to lift myself onto the examination table and needed assistance from a step stool. He didn't suspect any neurological issues when I asked him about an EMG or other assessments, he declined to proceed with those tests. Disheartened by these experiences, I chose not to pursue further medical consultations. Fast forward to April 9, 2025, I misstepped while descending some stairs, causing my right heel to catch, and I landed hard with my toes pointed. I had no visible signs of injury such as swelling or bruising, but soon after, I began to experience persistent pain and weakness, especially in my toes and the arch of my foot. By April 13, I instinctively elevated the toes on my left foot, and to my dismay, the same pain and weakness emerged, again without any visible signs like bruising. Since then, both feet have lacked strength, and my big toes feel unusually floppy. In July 2025, I had a troubling experience after having my hair washed at a salon. I held my neck in an awkward position for the duration, which resulted in a burning sensation. Regrettably, I didn’t express my discomfort, fearing a scene. Following this, I noticed significant weakness in the muscles at the front of my neck, under my chin, which gave the appearance of a receding chin. Additionally, my facial muscles, particularly in my cheeks, felt weak and could easily be pressed in with minimal resistance. In January 2026, I bought a new game controller for my laptop, having not played video games for a long time. Initially, it was manageable, but soon after, my hands and forearms began to feel uncomfortable and painful. This discomfort escalated significantly to where I had to discontinue use completely; my hands felt drained of energy and experienced achiness, tingling, and numbness. Then, on February 3, 2026, while seated and using my laptop, I noticed a peculiar sensation when moving my eyes. My eyelid muscles felt weak, and one of my eyelids began twitching. I found it increasingly difficult to open my eyes as widely as I used to. I plan to see a primary care physician once more, but I’m uncertain how to communicate all of this effectively to receive proper care. My circumstances have reached a point where my parents must assist me with everyday tasks, including driving, opening doors, and even lifting light objects. My ability to raise my arms above my head has become severely limited as well.
Liver Mass Assessment
Patient Profile: - Age: 61 years - Height: 5'9" - Weight: 240 lbs - Gender: Female - Lifestyle: Non-drinker, non-smoker, no illicit drugs Current Medications: - Atenolol 10mg (morning and evening) - Rosuvastatin 40mg (evening) - Duloxetine 60mg (evening) - Spironolactone 25mg (recently added) - Jardiance 10mg (recently added) Medical History: The patient has a notable history of multiple pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, having undergone surgery on eight occasions. According to scans performed three years ago, two subcentimeter retroperitoneal masses were identified, suggestive of potential paraganglioma. Additionally, she suffers from secondary polycythemia and possesses the PHD1 gene mutation. Previously, she received treatment at a prominent research institution in the United States. However, her endocrinologist has since retired and returned to their home country. Current Condition: At present, she is mostly asymptomatic. However, in January 2026, she experienced a concerning event requiring an ambulance transport to a local emergency room, where her oxygen levels registered at 88-89%. This incident was unsettling, given her extensive medical history. The emergency physician initially diagnosed her with congestive heart failure (CHF), but upon discharge, her family medicine doctor suggested pneumonia. During her hospital stay, a cardiologist—who has never managed a pheochromocytoma patient—recommended a chemical stress test. A CT scan performed on her chest revealed a 3.2 x 2.5 cm mass located in the left lobe of her liver. Her blood tests typically show elevated levels related to pheochromocytomas; however, the laboratory does not conduct resting catecholamine testing, which leads to unreliable results, despite them being consistent over time. Furthermore, she has received care at major hospitals in Minnesota and both leading hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Unfortunately, when she required her last surgery, the tumor board declined her case, citing an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio. This leaves her without a specialist in pheochromocytomas. Request for Guidance: The patient is seeking advice or recommendations for her current health situation and management of her conditions.
Concerns About My Daughter's Morning Health Issues
My 17-year-old daughter experiences troubling symptoms each morning, particularly on days when she needs to rise early for school or work. She often wakes up feeling dizzy and nauseated, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat exceeding 100 beats per minute. This situation prevents her from being able to eat and may persist for several hours, or in some cases, throughout the entire day. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall (172 cm) and weighing 121 pounds (55 kg), her physical health otherwise seems fine. I have a personal history of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST), which is why I take beta-blockers for management. A few years ago, she consulted a cardiologist regarding her frequent episodes of near-fainting, who recommended increasing her water intake and adding more salt to her meals. Given the persistent nature of her symptoms, I am contemplating whether a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist is warranted, especially since all previous tests, including ECG and ultrasound, came back normal. This situation significantly affects her daily life, restricting her ability to engage fully in school and work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns Regarding Neurological Health
Hello! I received an epilepsy diagnosis back in 2008, and throughout this time, various MRI and CT imaging studies have indicated issues related to cerebral function and encephalopathy. Despite consulting multiple neurologists over the years, I’ve found that none of them appear worried about the encephalopathy aspect. Shouldn’t this be something to take more seriously? My cognitive abilities, including memory and vision, have noticeably deteriorated as time has passed. I’m feeling lost since my previous neurologists have not acknowledged my concerns adequately. If anyone could offer guidance or suggest resources, I would greatly appreciate it. In addition to epilepsy, my other medical conditions include Narcolepsy, Lynch Syndrome, Migraines, a mutation associated with HLA-B27, and Hashimoto's disease, along with others that escape me for the moment. Currently, I’m on a medication regimen that includes Lamictal, Xcopri, Hydroxyzine, Solifenacin, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Sunosi, Aimovig, and Famotidine.