Hello doctor, I am a 30-year-old male. I have a throat infection with pain in swallowing which increases at night. I took Enzoflam two tablets per day for three days, but the pain still persists. Please advise.
Hello. The majority of throat infections are caused by viruses that cause the common cold and flu. Less often, sore throats are due to bacterial infections. Not all are viral or bacterial, other causes include an allergy to mold, pollen or other irritants or smoking cigarettes or even gastroesophageal reflux (in common words acidity). It is important to determine the cause, which will help to treat the symptoms. If you are having a fever with a lot of irritation or pain in the throat it is important to consult an ENT specialist in your town and get your throat examined. He will do a physical examination and examine the throat with a lighted instrument. He will also feel your neck for swollen lymph nodes. This will help to reach the diagnosis. If throat infection and fever last for more than five days, it is necessary to run blood tests. My advice on treatment: 1) Even if the cause is viral, there can be a bacterial added infection, so start on antibiotics. A combination of Amoxycillin with Clavulanic acid (625 mg) is good to be taken twice daily after food for five days. 2) Reduce inflammation and pain with Acetaminophen twice daily after food. Take an antacid with a pain killer to reduce gastric irritation. 3) Gargling with warm salt water or betadine gargles three to four times a day will help. 4) Drink plenty of warm fluids like tea, soup, and water. 5) Take throat lozenges. 6) Avoid allergens like dust and smoking. I hope this helps.