[18F] Experiencing sore throat, loss of voice, and difficulty swallowing liquids

Question

i was diagnosed with a sinus infection 2 days ago and i’m taking amoxicillin, but it doesn’t seem to be helping! i can barely drink water without coughing it up and have completely lost my voice! any ideas on what to do/what this might be?

Patient Description

An 18-year-old female is experiencing a sore throat, loss of voice, runny nose, difficulty swallowing liquids without problems with foods, occasional headaches described as migraines behind the eye, and ear pain when yawning or swallowing, starting over the past 3-5 days. The patient has type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in 2023, and is currently on Ozempic and Metformin since October 2023 without any reported side effects. The difficulty swallowing liquids and sore throat began today, with the patient coughing when attempting to drink any liquid. The loss of voice has progressed over the past three days, leading to the inability to speak except in a whisper. The patient denies any recent injuries to the neck, throat, or ear, and has not been in close contact with anyone who is sick or has similar symptoms. No fever, chills, difficulty breathing, drooling, or recent exposure to new environments have been reported. No other medications, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbal remedies, are being taken.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, the following conditions could be possible:

Common Cold: This is a viral infection that primarily affects your nose and throat. It's usually harmless and symptoms improve within a week or two. Symptoms can include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches or a mild headache, and sneezing.
Influenza (Flu): This is a more severe viral infection than the common cold. It can cause fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. However, you mentioned you don't have a fever, which is less typical for the flu.
Pharyngitis: This is inflammation of the back of the throat, and can cause a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. It's most often caused by a viral infection like the common cold or flu.
Laryngitis: This is inflammation of the voice box from overuse, irritation or infection. It can cause voice loss and throat pain.
Sinusitis: This is inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses, often caused by a viral infection. It can cause a runny nose, headache, and facial pain or pressure.

What you can do

Here are some general measures you can take to help alleviate your symptoms:

Rest and hydrate: Make sure you're getting plenty of sleep and drinking lots of fluids. This can help your body recover from any potential infection.
Over-the-counter remedies: Over-the-counter cold remedies can help alleviate symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, and body aches.
Warm liquids: Warm liquids such as tea or soup can help soothe a sore throat and relieve congestion.
Avoid straining your voice: Since you're experiencing voice loss, try to rest your voice as much as possible.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Severe pain
Symptoms that last more than a week or get worse
High fever
Difficulty swallowing to the point where you're unable to eat or drink

Please remember that this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may need different treatments. You should reach out to a healthcare professional who can evaluate your condition and give you a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

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10 mo ago

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