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What to do if I have a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, chills, and a headache?
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Infectious Illnesses
Question #29810
3 days ago
67

What to do if I have a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, chills, and a headache? - #29810

Client_75bee0

My throat started hurting yesterday with difficulty of swallowing and and i was tired by the end of the day, this morning i woke up in my bed at 4am shivering from cold for whatever reason even though its the same température as usual and i was very hot to the touch, now its 7am i'm not shivering anymore but im still hot in my body and i cant get out of bed because i feel cold and my head hurts, what should i do what do i have please help me

When did your sore throat start?:

- Yesterday

Have you experienced any other symptoms?:

- Fever

How would you rate the pain in your throat?:

- Severe

Have you had any recent illnesses or infections?:

- No, I feel fine otherwise

How is your appetite?:

- Normal

Have you taken any medications for your symptoms?:

- Home remedies

Do you have any allergies or chronic conditions?:

- No, I'm generally healthy

How long did you experience shivering?:

- About an hour
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Doctors' responses

Dr. Bharat Joshi
I’m a periodontist and academician with a strong clinical and teaching background. Over the last 4 years and 8 months, I’ve been actively involved in dental education, guiding students at multiple levels including dental hygienist, BDS, and MDS programs. Currently, I serve as a Reader at MMCDSR in Ambala, Haryana—a role that allows me to merge my academic passion with hands-on experience. Clinically, I’ve been practicing dentistry for the past 12 years. From routine procedures like scaling and root planing to more advanced cases involving grafts, biopsies, and implant surgeries. Honestly, I still find joy in doing a simple RCT when it’s needed. It’s not just about the procedure but making sure the patient feels comfortable and safe. Academically, I have 26 research publications to my credit. I’m on the editorial boards of the Archives of Dental Research and Journal of Dental Research and Oral Health, and I’ve spent a lot of time reviewing manuscripts—from case reports to meta-analyses and even book reviews. I was honored to receive the “Best Editor” award by Innovative Publications, and Athena Publications recognized me as an “excellent reviewer,” which honestly came as a bit of a surprise! In 2025, I had the opportunity to present a guest lecture in Italy on traumatic oral lesions. Sharing my work and learning from peers globally has been incredibly fulfilling. Outside academics and clinics, I’ve also worked in the pharmaceutical sector as a Drug Safety Associate for about 3 years, focusing on pharmacovigilance. That role really sharpened my attention to detail and deepened my understanding of drug interactions and adverse effects. My goal is to keep learning, and give every patient and student my absolute best.
3 days ago
5

Hello sir See as per clinical history it seems viral infection There seems chances of fever Iam suggesting some medication for improvement. Please follow them for atleast a week Tablet Amoxicillin 500 mg twice a day for 5 days Tablet montair lc once a day for 3 days Tablet paracetamol 500 mg twice a day 6 hourly a day on fever only Steam twice a day for 15 days Ginger honey combination solution twice a day for 5 days Warm salt water rinses 6 hourly a day for 5 days Avoid cold food Hot fomentation application twice a day In case of no improvement consult ent surgeon in person for better clarity Regards

2721 answered questions
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Dr. Arsha K Isac
I am a general dentist with 3+ years of working in real-world setups, and lemme say—every single patient teaches me something diff. It’s not just teeth honestly, it’s people… and how they feel walking into the chair. I try really hard to not make it just a “procedure thing.” I explain stuff in plain words—no confusing dental jargon, just straight talk—coz I feel like when ppl *get* what's going on, they feel safer n that makes all the difference. Worked with all ages—like, little kids who need that gentle nudge about brushing, to older folks who come in with long histories and sometimes just need someone to really sit n listen. It’s weirdly rewarding to see someone walk out lighter, not just 'coz their toothache's gone but coz they felt seen during the whole thing. A lot of ppl come in scared or just unsure, and I honestly take that seriously. I keep the vibe calm. Try to read their mood, don’t rush. I always tell myself—every smile’s got a story, even the broken ones. My thing is: comfort first, then precision. I want the outcome to last, not just look good for a week. Not tryna claim perfection or magic solutions—just consistent, clear, hands-on care where patients feel heard. I think dentistry should *fit* the person, not push them into a box. That's kinda been my philosophy from day one. And yeah, maybe sometimes I overexplain or spend a bit too long checking alignment again but hey, if it means someone eats pain-free or finally smiles wide in pics again? Worth it. Every time.
3 days ago
5

Hello

Nothing to worry

Rx

Tab Paracetamol 500 mg - 6 hourly if pain or temperature Tab Montek lc - once a day at night for 3 days 🛑Betadine gargle as per instruction in the bottle Or do saline gargle

Tab Moxclav 625 mg - twice a day for 5 days after meal

Syp Ambroxil - 10 ml thrice a day after meal if you have cough

Drink plenty of warm water 🛑Do steam inhalation

If not resolved in a week please consult your near physician

Thank you Take care

1681 answered questions
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Dr. Nirav Jain
I am a qualified medical doctor with MBBS and DNB Diploma in Family Medicine from NBEMS, and my work has always been centered on treating patients in a complete, not just symptom based way. During my DNB training I rotated through almost every core department—Internal medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Surgery, Orthopedics, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency medicine. That mix gave me the skill to manage acute illness, long term disease and preventive care together, something I find very important in family practice. In psychiatry I worked closely with patients who struggled with depression, anxiety, stress related problems, insomnia or substance use. I learned not just about medication but also about simple psychotherapy tools, psycho education and how to talk openly without judgement. I still use that exp in family medicine, specially when chronic disease patients also face mental health issues. My time in General surgery included assisting in minor and major procedures, managing wounds, abscess, sutures and emergencies. While I am not a surgeon, this gave me confidence to recognize surgical cases early, provide first line care and refer fast when needed, which makes a big difference in online or OPD settings. Now I work as a consultant in General medicine and Family practice, with focus on both in-person and online consultation. I treat conditions like fever, infections, gastrointestinal complaints, respiratory illness, and also manage diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and lifestyle related chronic diseases. I see women for PCOS, contraception counseling, menstrual health, and children for common pediatric issues. I also dedicate time to preventive health, lifestyle counseling and diet-sleep-exercise advice, since these small changes affect long term wellness more than we often realize. My key skills include holistic diagnosis, evidence based treatment, chronic disease management, mental health support, preventive medicine and telemedicine communiation. At the center of all this is one thing—patients should feel heard, safe, and guided with care that is both professional and personal.
3 days ago
5

Hello, your symptoms suggest an acute throat infection, most likely viral pharyngitis or tonsillitis. The fever with chills, severe throat pain, and difficulty swallowing are typical. What you likely have Viral throat infection (most common) Sometimes early bacterial infection (if fever and pain are severe) What you should do now 1. Fever & pain relief Tab Paracetamol 500–650 mg every 6–8 hours if fever/bodyache 2. For throat relief Warm salt water gargles 3–4 times/day Steam inhalation 1–2 times/day Drink warm fluids (soups, tea, warm water) 3. Medicines Tab Levocetirizine 5 mg at night (helps throat irritation) Lozenges for throat soothing Antibiotics are NOT needed initially unless symptoms worsen or persist Important care Rest well Stay well hydrated Avoid cold drinks, spicy food When to see a doctor Fever >101°F persists beyond 2–3 days Severe difficulty swallowing (unable to take fluids) White patches/pus in throat Breathing difficulty No improvement in 3 days This is usually a self-limiting infection and improves within 3–5 days with supportive care. Take rest and start the above treatment, you should start feeling better soon.

Feel free to reach out again.

Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, D.Fam.Medicine

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Dr. Prasannajeet Singh Shekhawat
I am a 2023 batch passout and working as a general physician right now, based in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Still kinda new in the bigger picture maybe, but honestly—every single day in this line teaches you more than textbooks ever could. I’ve had the chance to work under some pretty respected doctors during and after my graduation, not just for the clinical part but also to see how they handle people, real people, in pain, in panic, and sometimes just confused about their own health. General medicine covers a lot, right? Like from the smallest complaints to those random, vague symptoms that no one really understands at first—those are kinda my zone now. I don’t really rush to label things, I try to spend time actually listening. Feels weird to say it but ya, I do take that part seriously. Some patients just need someone to hear the whole story instead of jumping to prescription pads after 30 seconds. Right now, my practice includes everything from managing common infections, blood pressure issues, sugar problems to more layered cases where symptoms overlap and you gotta just... piece things together. It's not glamorous all the time, but it's real. I’ve handled a bunch of seasonal disease waves too, like dengue surges and viral fevers that hit rural belts hard—Hanumangarh doesn’t get much spotlight but there’s plenty happening out here. Also, I do rely on basics—thorough history, solid clinical exam and yeah when needed, investigations. But not over-prescribing things just cz they’re there. One thing I picked up from the senior consultants I worked with—they used to say “don’t chase labs, chase the patient’s story”... stuck with me till now. Anyway, still learning every single day tbh. But I like that. Keeps me grounded and kind of obsessed with trying to get better.
3 days ago
5

Hello Thanks for describing your symptoms so clearly. Based on what you’ve shared—sore throat with pain on swallowing, tiredness, shivering and feeling very hot (likely fever), headache, and feeling cold and weak—it sounds like you’re experiencing a viral or bacterial throat infection, possibly pharyngitis or tonsillitis. The sudden onset of chills, fever, and body aches is common with these infections.

What’s likely happening? - Your body is fighting an infection, which is causing fever (feeling hot), chills (shivering), and overall weakness. - The sore throat and pain with swallowing suggest inflammation or infection in your throat, which could be viral (like a cold or flu) or bacterial (like strep throat).

What you should do now: 1. Rest: Stay in bed and rest as much as possible. 2. Hydrate: Drink plenty of warm fluids (water, herbal tea, soup) to stay hydrated. 3. Fever relief: If you have a fever and body aches, you can take paracetamol (acetaminophen) for relief, but only after checking with a doctor or if you’ve used it safely before.

Treatment - Tab Amoxicillin 625 mg - once a day for 3 days Tab Paracetamol 500 mg - twice a day for 3 days Tab Pantop dsr - once a day empty stomach

4. Soothe your throat: Warm saltwater gargles, lozenges, and honey with warm water can help ease throat pain. 5. Monitor symptoms: Watch for any warning signs like difficulty breathing, severe throat pain, inability to swallow even liquids, persistent high fever, or rash.

When to see a doctor urgently: - If your fever is very high and not coming down with medication - If you can’t swallow even water or saliva - If you have trouble breathing, severe headache, neck stiffness, or confusion

Most sore throats from viral infections improve in a few days with rest and supportive care. If your symptoms get worse, last more than 3 days, or you develop any warning signs, see a doctor as soon as possible for a throat examination and possibly a test for strep throat.

Thank you

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Dr. Nikhil Chauhan
I am currently working as a urologist and kidney transplant surgeon at Graphic Era Medical College & Hospital, Dehradun. It's a role that keeps me on my toes, honestly. I handle a pretty wide range of urology cases—stones, prostate issues, urinary tract obstructions, infections, you name it. Some are straightforward, others way more complex than you expect at first glance. Every patient walks in with a different story and that’s what keeps the work real for me. Kidney transplant surgery, though, that’s a whole different zone. You’re not just working on anatomy—you’re dealing with timelines, matching, medications, family dynamics, emotional pressure... and yeah, very precise coordination. I’m part of a team that manages the entire transplant process—from evaluation to surgery to post-op care. Not gonna lie, it’s intense. But seeing someone who’s been on dialysis for years finally get a new shot at life—there’s nothing really like that feeling. In the OR, I’m detail-focused. Outside of it, I try to stay accessible—patients don’t always need answers right away, sometimes they just need to feel heard. I believe in walking them through what’s going on rather than just giving reports and instructions. Especially in transplant cases, trust matters. And clear, honest conversation helps build that. Urology itself is such a misunderstood field sometimes. People ignore symptoms for years because it feels “awkward” or they think it’s not serious until it becomes unmanageable. I’ve had patients who came in late just because they were embarassed to talk about urine flow or testicular pain. That’s why I also try to make the space judgment-free—like whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. At the end of the day, whether I’m scrubbing in for surgery or doing OPD rounds, I just want to make sure what I do *actually* helps. That the effort’s not wasted. And yeah, some days are frustrating—some procedures don’t go clean, some recoveries take longer than they should—but I keep showing up, cause the work’s worth doing. Always is.
2 days ago
5

Hi – You have a high fever, severe sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. This needs medical attention today, possibly urgently.

🚨 Go to an emergency room or urgent care if:

· Difficulty swallowing saliva (drooling) · Breathing trouble or muffled voice · Unable to drink liquids for >6 hours · Fever >103°F (39.4°C) or not improving with meds

Even without those, see a doctor within 24 hours – likely bacterial (strep) or viral pharyngitis/tonsillitis. You may need a strep test or antibiotics.


🩺 What you likely have: Acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis with systemic fever. The chills + hot skin + headache + severe throat pain point to infection.

Do not assume it’s just a cold – difficulty swallowing + high fever needs evaluation.


💊 What to do right now:

1. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500–650mg or ibuprofen 400mg – for fever, headache, throat pain. 2. Hydrate aggressively – small sips of warm water, honey-lemon tea, or cold fluids (whichever soothes more). 3. Warm salt water gargles (1 tsp salt in 1 cup warm water) – 3x daily. 4. Rest in bed – use an extra blanket if chills return, but if fever spikes, remove layers to cool down.

What to avoid:

· Aspirin (risk of Reye’s in young adults? Not major but avoid if possible) · Very hot or spicy foods · Dairy? Not harmful but may thicken mucus


⚠️ Red flags for emergency (go now):

· Stridor (high-pitched breathing sound) · Drooling or unable to swallow pills/water · Neck swelling or stiff neck · Rash or purple spots


📞 Call your doctor or go to a clinic today – they can check for strep, mono, or peritonsillar abscess (which causes severe pain and difficulty swallowing).

You need a physical exam. Don’t wait for it to pass.

Dr Nikhil Chauhan

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Based on your symptoms—sore throat, difficulty swallowing, chills, headache, and fever—what you’re experiencing could potentially be a viral or bacterial infection, such as a common cold or something more substantial like the flu or strep throat, particularly if your fever is high. Start by checking your temperature with a reliable thermometer to confirm fever, since feeling hot can be subjective. If your temperature is above 100.4°F (38°C), it indicates a fever, which is a common response to infection. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water, herbal teas, or broth to prevent dehydration, especially if you’re sweating because of the fever. Getting enough rest is crucial—your body needs it to fight off the infection effectively. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and alleviate discomfort. Be sure to use them as directed on the package. It’s important to keep an eye on any worsening symptoms. If you experience severe sore throat, difficulty in breathing, persistent high fever, or if symptoms persist beyond a few days or worsen, it’s time to contact a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. They may recommend specific tests or prescribe antibiotics if a bacterial infection such as strep throat is suspected. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently and avoiding the sharing of drinkware or utensils to prevent spreading germs to others. Taking these steps can help manage your symptoms and decrease the likelihood of spreading any potential infection. If you’re in doubt or symptoms escalate quickly, prioritizing a visit to the doctor or an urgent care clinic may be necessary to ensure appropriate treatment.

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Dr. Alan Reji
I'm Dr. Alan Reji, a general dentist with a deep-rooted passion for helping people achieve lasting oral health while making dental visits feel less intimidating. I graduated from Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences (batch of 2018), and ever since, I've been committed to offering high-quality care that balances both advanced clinical knowledge and genuine compassion for my patients. Starting Dent To Smile here in Palakkad wasn’t just about opening a clinic—it was really about creating a space where people feel relaxed the moment they walk in. Dental care can feel cold or overly clinical, and I’ve always wanted to change that. So I focused on making it warm, easygoing, and centered completely around you. I mix new-age tech with some good old-fashioned values—really listening, explaining stuff without jargon, and making sure you feel involved, not just treated. From regular cleanings to fillings or even cosmetic work, I try my best to keep things smooth and stress-free. No hidden steps. No last-minute surprises. I have a strong interest in patient education and preventive dentistry. I genuinely believe most dental issues can be caught early—or even avoided—when patients are given the right information at the right time. That’s why I take time to talk, not just treat. Helping people understand why something’s happening is as important to me as treating what’s happening. At my practice, I’ve made it a point to stay current with the latest innovations—digital diagnostics, minimally invasive techniques, and smart scheduling that respects people’s time. I also try to make my services accessible and affordable, because good dental care shouldn’t be out of reach for anyone.
22 hours ago
5

Your symptoms sound consistent with an acute infection such as viral flu, COVID-19, or bacterial throat infection causing fever, chills, body heat, headache, and painful swallowing. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, use paracetamol/acetaminophen for fever and pain if safe for you, and try warm salt-water gargles while monitoring your temperature and hydration. Seek urgent medical care if you develop trouble breathing, severe dehydration, rash, inability to swallow saliva, persistent high fever, worsening neck swelling, confusion, or if symptoms rapidly worsen over the next 24–48 hours.

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