Hi, my throat and soft palate are very red, I have constant post nasal drip which feels like it burns when it comes down. The inside of my cheek is also a little swollen. There is one spot on my tonsil and has been for a quite a while and my tongue is coated.

I saw one GP who prescribed me antibiotics for suspected Strep Throat, I’m awaiting the results for the swab, but another GP said not to take antibiotics because it was a type of thrush and I should use anti fungal oral solution. So I had a word with the pharmacist and I am taking both. However, my lips are dry and they tingle, I get cold sensations on my tongue and my nose is very itchy, my eyes water a bit too. My salivary glands are also feeling irritated.

Is the cause of my throat and mouth symptoms possibly allergy related or infection related? Could it be related to a cold or to a wisdom tooth?

Back in June I had an absessed tonsil on my right side. A month after it was drained, it was fine, until I stayed overnight in a house with cats. After a few nights I started to develop a scratchy throat, and then it just became sore. It’s clear that my right tonsil (the same one as before – coincidence?) is inflamed and red and swollen. The left side is FINE.

Since then I’ve been in a serious relationship with a cat owner, and it seems the sore throat/enlarged tonsil is never going away.

Over the course of the past couple months I’ve seen an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. He’s given me both antibiotics and steroids, which have helped while I was taking them, but the tonsil never fully shrank and as soon as the pills ran out I found myself with a sore throat and inflamed red tonsil on my right side again.

I also have seen an allergist. He says that if it was infected, it would get worse instead of always smoldering at the same level of pain. Allergy sprays like Omnaris and medications like Zyrtec seem to help my throat/tonsil… at least for a while… but there’s nothing strong enough to really make me feel normal or get rid of it. He’s put me on an allergy shot regimen for cats… but I don’t know if he’s right about this.

1) Is it true that my tonsil can’t be infected, because it would get worse instead of staying at the same level for months?

2) All my drainage is clear – no coloration at all. Does that indicate anything?

3) Is it even POSSIBLE to have a constantly inflamed tonsil due to cat allergies?

4) Any recommendations on how to treat it?

If you can answer ANY of these questions, thank you.