I have had a wicked sore throat since Monday. Swallowing is extremely painful. So much so that I’ve lost five pounds this week. I gargle with Listerine several times a day, drink warm water (gross but it helps) and hot tea, and sleep close to the warm-mist humidifier with little relief.
The stuffy nose and occasional cough are inconsequential to the absolute rawness of my throat.
So I went to the clinic today. No strep throat. No pneumonia. Just acute pharyngitis a.k.a. “sore throat”.
My orders are to drink plenty of liquids, gargle with warm salt water, take one dexamethasone today and tomorrow to help relieve the inflammation in my throat, and start the antibiotic (which I didn’t fill yet) in a few days if the symptoms get worse or don’t improve.
Perfect time for a Birthday Wish from my friend Leah. I knew I was saving this for something “special”.
Knitting In Flashes 
Water with salt was my most effective method for sore throat.
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Enjoy! I’d say drink to your health, but you already are!! Feel better soon.
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And I, Patsye the nurse, would have told you to forget the antibiotic and let your body heal itself, which it would have since it wasn’t strep. Strep should always be treated. Also, don’t drink “hot” tea, but rather warm liquids, and keep gargling with salt water. Feel better soon….
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Sorry you feel so crappy! If all else fails make a good strong hot toddy. It’s tea, lots of honey (for the sore throat and it is also antibacterial), lemon to taste ( cuts through the gooey stuff), a good dash of cinnamon (helps with decongesting you), and last but not least, a big splash of a good blended whiskey (which will relax your throat muscles). Also, if you put enough whiskey in you won’t care that you have a cold so much. Lol. PS…I suggest using a blended whiskey or even some brandy, but not a shot whiskey like jack daniels. Those make for a much harsher toddy and can actually irritate a bit not to mention it won’t taste as good. I like Fleischmann’s for toddies. Hope you feel better soon!!
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I hope you feel better soon. A persistent sore throat is miserable!
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