[45F] With severe sore throat, swollen neck, and difficulty swallowing

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described—severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, white spots on your tonsils, fuzzy white patches on your tongue, hoarseness, and tenderness/swelling in your neck—here are the most likely explanations:

1. Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis):

   • Strep throat is a bacterial infection that often causes severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, and white spots on the tonsils. It can also lead to redness and swelling in the throat and neck. While fever is common, it’s possible to have strep throat without one. A throat swab test is needed to confirm this diagnosis, and antibiotics are typically prescribed for treatment.

2. Oral Thrush (Candidiasis):

   • The fuzzy white patches on your tongue could indicate oral thrush, a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast. This can happen if your immune system is slightly weakened or due to medications like Effexor and Vraylar, which may alter the balance of bacteria and yeast in your mouth. Oral thrush can also cause a sensation of something stuck in your throat and hoarseness.

3. Tonsillar Abscess (Peritonsillar Abscess):

   • The severe pain, difficulty swallowing, and swelling in your neck could be signs of a tonsillar abscess, which is a pocket of pus near the tonsils caused by a bacterial infection. This condition often requires drainage by a healthcare provider and antibiotics.

4. Viral Pharyngitis:

   • A viral infection could explain your sore throat, mucus drainage, and swollen lymph nodes. However, the white spots on your tonsils and tongue patches are less typical for a simple viral infection.

5. Lymphadenitis:

   • The swelling and tenderness in your neck could be due to an infection in your lymph nodes, which are reacting to the inflammation in your throat.

What you can do

While you have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, here are some steps you can take to manage your symptoms in the meantime:

1. Rest Your Voice: Avoid talking as much as possible to reduce strain on your throat and vocal cords.
2. Stay Hydrated: Sip warm liquids like tea with honey or broth to soothe your throat and stay hydrated. Avoid acidic or spicy foods that could irritate your throat further.
3. Use OTC Pain Relief: Medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain and inflammation.
4. Try Saltwater Gargles: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle several times a day to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
5. Apply Warm Compresses: Place a warm compress on your neck to help reduce swelling and tenderness.
6. Track Your Symptoms: Use MDandMe to journal your symptoms, track progress, and share detailed notes with your doctor tomorrow.

What you should look out for

Before your appointment, monitor for the following signs that may require urgent medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing or a sensation of your throat closing.
• Inability to swallow liquids or drooling because swallowing is too painful.
• Rapidly worsening swelling in your neck or throat.
• High fever or chills.
• Severe pain on one side of your throat that doesn’t improve.

If any of these occur, seek immediate care at an urgent care clinic or emergency room.

I hope this advice helps you feel more prepared for your doctor’s visit tomorrow. Let me know if you need help drafting a note for your doctor or have any other concerns!