Does earache with sore throat indicate COVID-19 infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an earache on the left side and soreness in my throat when I swallow on the left side. Is this possibly Coronavirus?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

COVID-19 disease could have multiple manifestations beyond the classic triad of fever, sore throat, breathlessness, and atypical symptoms like lack of smell, lack of taste, and diarrhea. It is a virus that primarily affects the respiratory tract starting from the nose, nasopharynx, throat, eustachian tube (leading to middle ear infections), trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and rest of the lung cavity including the associated blood vessels. Some of the symptoms resemble other respiratory viral infections including influenza, common cold, etc. Hence, unless there are specific indicators, it may well not be COVID-19.

Please wait and see the symptoms develop. Please look out for fever, breathlessness. Try and buy an oximeter and check for SPO2 values (<94% classically in room air) along with these symptoms. Watch for loose motions and loss of smell.

Meanwhile, steam inhalation thrice daily. Warm water gargles thrice daily. Tablet Relent OD 1 tablet once daily (after breakfast), Zirconia (Zinc acetate) 50 mg one tablet twice daily for seven days (after lunch and dinner), Lymcee or Celin (Vitamin C) 500 mg one tablet twice daily for seven days (after lunch and dinner), Paracetamol 500 mg thrice daily for three days.

Report as soon as you develop any symptoms as mentioned above. Try not to venture out of the house until the next few days to see if any symptoms are developing. If you really want to find out, try to get a COVID test (antigen detection by RT-PCR) now or later when more symptoms develop.

If the brands mentioned are not available, please look out for the composition and strength mentioned and get relevant brands.

Zinc tablet with strength 50 mg and Vitamin C tablet strength 500 mg.

Paracetamol is called Acetaminophen (Tylenol). The dose remains the same.

Relent is a combination of Levocetirizine with Ambroxyl. Alternatively, you could take Allegra 1 tablet once daily.

Levocetirizine- the dosage required is 5 mg every 12 hours for seven days. If you are opting for Allegra instead, then take tablet Allegra 120 mg once daily for seven days.