You may have pharyngitis, also known as strep throat, which is characterized by the appearance of white spots at the back of the throat accompanied by pain in that area. Yellowish white spots are usually pockets of pus caused by a bacterial or viral infection. In some cases, this infection can extend to the tonsils (part of the lymph node system) and cause tonsillitis. If there is a pocket of pus in the throat, you should consult a doctor because this infection can easily spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs or middle ear. Continue reading to find out what you can do to cure a pus pocket in your throat.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Determine if you need to see a doctor
Most cases of strep throat will clear up on their own after a few days, but if your condition is severe or lasts more than 7 days, you should see a doctor. Sore throat with pockets of pus can also indicate that you have a more serious condition, such as tonsillitis or a sore throat from a streptococcal bacterial infection. Monitor your symptoms, and see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- No flu or cold symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Fever over 38, 3 °C
- Swelling of the tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes (in the neck)
- Throat is bright red or has dark red spots
- Presence of a white or yellow coating in the throat
Step 2. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if your condition is severe or not improving
Make an appointment with your doctor if your condition doesn't improve, gets worse, or is severe enough. Your doctor can grow a culture of an infectious agent in your throat to determine if the cause is bacterial or viral.
When visiting your doctor, be sure to share all of your symptoms to help him make the best possible diagnosis
Step 3. Ask for a prescription for antibiotics if necessary
Antibiotics are not helpful if the pus pockets in the throat are caused by a viral infection, but they are helpful if the cause is a bacterial infection. If the pocket of pus is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as erythromycin or amoxicillin.
Follow your doctor's advice and take the entire dose of antibiotics prescribed
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about tonsillectomy
Surgical removal of the tonsils may be able to help you avoid recurring strep throat. If the pockets of pus in the throat are located in the tonsils and the infection is severe, or recurs too often, surgery may be necessary.
Tonsillectomy is a relatively simple procedure, but abscesses around the tonsils can also be treated with an even simpler abscess cleaning procedure. You should discuss these options with your doctor to determine the best course of action for your condition
Method 2 of 3: Trying Home Treatments
Step 1. Use pain medication
To treat pain from strep throat, you may need to take medication. Your doctor may prescribe a local pain reliever to treat pain from a pus pocket, or you can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin.
- Follow the dosage guidelines in your prescription or over-the-counter medicine package. Do not use the drug more than the recommended dose.
- Do not use pain relievers other than paracetamol if you are pregnant.
- Throat lozenges containing anesthetics can also help relieve discomfort.
Step 2. Gargle with salt water
Prepare a mixture of 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix the solution until the salt is completely dissolved. Gargle with a salt water solution at least once every hour. The combination of salt and warm water should be able to relieve pain and discomfort in the throat.
Step 3. Drink warm liquids
Warm drinks can improve blood flow in the throat so that the body will more easily fight the pus pockets. Drinking a cup of tea before bed (make sure it doesn't contain caffeine) will also help you deal with pain during sleep.
Step 4. Use a vaporizer
Breathing dry air will not help your condition at all, your throat may even become more irritated and sore. Using a vaporizer to humidify the air will relieve irritation and pain. If you don't have a vaporizer, you can simply put a small bowl filled with water in the room. When it evaporates, the water will increase the humidity of the air.
You can also try using a humidifier, which is available in cold and warm steam options
Method 3 of 3: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Meet the body's fluid needs
In addition to drinking warm water to soothe the throat, you should also drink plenty of water to meet the body's fluid needs. Drinking lots of water will make it easier for you to swallow as well as help the body fight infection.
Step 2. Get plenty of rest
During the infection, the body needs a lot of rest to recover. Make sure to get plenty of sleep at night, and rest during the day. Do not do strenuous activities as long as you have severe sore throat. Ask for permission from work or school to rest at home if possible.
Step 3. Eat foods that are easy to swallow
During a severe sore throat accompanied by pockets of pus, you should avoid all foods that can further irritate the throat, such as spicy or sour dishes. Choose easy-to-swallow foods such as applesauce, oatmeal, soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and hard-boiled eggs. Your throat may also feel more comfortable when eating a popsicle or ice cream.
Step 4. Stay away from all irritants that can aggravate the throat condition
During the recovery period, do not smoke, inhale fumes, or use harsh cleaning products. All of which can aggravate the pocket of pus in the throat and prolong the recovery time of the body from infection.
Tips
Remember that a pus pocket is not a disease but a symptom. Be sure to consider other symptoms when determining whether you need to see a doctor
Warning
- If you feel weak, have shortness of breath, have joint pain, notice a rash or lump under your skin, or your hands and feet are jerking uncontrollably, you may have rheumatic fever. Seek emergency medical help. Rheumatic fever can cause damage to the heart, brain, and other tissues in the body.
- If you have a red rash on your skin that feels like sandpaper, you may have scarlet fever. Seek immediate medical attention. Scarlet fever can be treated with antibiotics.
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